Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court had given a month’s time for the state to list the wards reserved for SCs, STs, and BCs. This deadline ended on Thursday. The draft ordinance for a 42% BC quota is now with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs after being sent by the Governor. The state is uncertain about holding local body elections due to this pending approval. As a solution, the government might explain the delay to the court, emphasizing the pending ordinance.
On June 25, the court ordered the State Election Commission (SEC) to organize panchayat elections within three months. Justice T. Madhavi Devi ruled on cases from former sarpanches of six village panchayats. She instructed the government to create voter lists and reservations for categories like women and Backward Classes within one month. The SEC was told to hold elections within two months after receiving all necessary details.
The court insisted that elections be completed by September 30, dismissing requests for more time. The judge stressed that ward division must be finished in 30 days to meet the election deadline.
The state must provide the SEC with voter lists and updated ward details after delimitation within a month. Officials are waiting for the Governor’s response regarding the ordinance, as the President has not yet approved two acts related to the BC quota increase. The government is in a tough spot since the court’s deadline has passed.
The state is hesitant to proceed with elections without the BC quota increase. They might ask the court to urge the President and Governor to decide on the pending bills and ordinance. Legal experts are exploring judicial options to address the BC quota issue, aiming to hold elections by the end of September.
The State Advocate General plans to update the High Court on the bills’ status and request more time for elections. The issue will be discussed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet will decide whether to agree with the SEC on conducting elections without the BC quota increase or to challenge the Centre for delaying the ordinance approval.
