Hyderabad: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has sought legal advice on the Telangana government’s proposed ordinance raising Backward Class (BC) reservations in local bodies to 42 percent, a move that would push the state’s total reservation quota to 67 percent well above the 50 percent ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
The ordinance, meant to ensure increased BC representation in local elections, was drafted after the Telangana High Court directed that the polls be held by September 30. The legislative assembly had already passed the BC Reservation Bill on March 17, but with delays expected in Parliament, the state government opted for an ordinance route.
Despite receiving the draft ordinance, the Governor has withheld assent and is examining the legal implications of breaching the 50 percent quota cap. The proposed structure would allocate 42 percent for BCs, 18 percent for Scheduled Castes, and 10 percent for Scheduled Tribes.
The delay comes as the Governor weighs legal precedent. In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court directed Governors to either return pending bills to the legislature within a month or approve them. If forwarded to Rashtrapati Bhavan, this would be the third Telangana bill awaiting Presidential assent.
The State argues that enhancing BC representation in local governance is critical and time-sensitive due to the court-imposed election deadline. Without the ordinance, the existing 29 percent BC quota would apply in the upcoming local body polls.
The Governor’s decision is expected shortly.
