75 civic bodies in Gujarat to face elections before Diwali

AHMEDABAD, Gujarat: The Government of Gujarat has begun preparation for the election in around 75 civic bodies that have been delayed for more than a year and a half. Apart from civic bodies, two district panchayats—Kheda and Banaskantha, will also go into elections.

It was informed that the Department of Urban Development and Panchayat Department has been rearranging the seats to give effect to the 27 per cent OBC reservation. In this regard, a notification will be issued in the coming days. The state is planning to conduct the elections before Diwali in 2024.

In August 2023, the government accepted the recommendation of Justice KS Jhaveri asking the government to increase the OBC reservation from the previous 10 per cent reservation to 27 per cent. This 27 per cent stipulation will apply to all local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, taluka panchayats, and district panchayats.

However, this will not apply to areas under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996, where the scheduled tribe population has more than 50 per cent share. There, 10 per cent reservation provision will continue.