Hyderabad, July 19 :
In a key development, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has reportedly sought legal advice on the Backward Classes (BC) reservation ordinance, which proposes to increase reservation for BCs in local bodies from 29% to 42%.
This ordinance is seen as a crucial step by the Telangana government ahead of the impending local body elections. The urgency comes after the Telangana High Court directed the government to conduct elections by September 30.
BC Reservation Bill Passed, Awaiting Governor’s Nod
The state assembly passed the BC Reservation Bill on *March 17, aiming to uplift representation of Backward Classes in local self-governments. However, concerns over crossing the 50% reservation cap—as outlined by the Supreme Court—have prompted the Governor to *carefully examine the legal implications before signing the ordinance.
If approved, the new reservation model would look like this:
- BCs: 42%
- Scheduled Castes (SCs): 18%
- Scheduled Tribes (STs): 10%
This would take the total reservation quota in the state to 67%, breaching the Supreme Court-mandated *50% limit.
Legal Complications and Constitutional Boundaries
The Governor’s request for legal advice delays the ordinance’s approval. According to a *Supreme Court ruling, governors must *either approve or return any bill within one month of receiving it. This places the Governor in a tight timeframe, considering the upcoming elections and constitutional obligations.
If forwarded to the *President of India, this bill would become the *third Telangana bill pending at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Why the Rush?
Given the court-imposed deadline for elections and the potential delay in Parliament passing the original bill, the government is banking on the ordinance route. This allows immediate enforcement once the Governor approves it.
However, since the bill challenges an existing Supreme Court ruling, the legal complexities are unavoidable. Experts suggest the ordinance could still be challenged in court, even if implemented.
What’s at Stake?
If approved, the ordinance will mark a historic shift in local governance, empowering *BC communities with greater representation. The outcome will directly influence candidate selection, political strategies, and the social justice narrative in Telangana’s rural and urban landscapes.
Key Takeaways:
- Governor Jishnu Dev Verma has sought legal advice on the Telangana government’s BC reservation ordinance.
- The ordinance proposes raising BC reservations from 29% to 42% in local body elections.
- If implemented, total reservations in Telangana will reach 67%, breaching the Supreme Court’s 50% cap.
- The urgency follows the High Court’s directive to conduct local elections before September 30.
- The bill, though passed in the Assembly, is awaiting the Governor’s approval to become law.
- If sent to the *President, it will become the *third pending Telangana bill at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Legal experts warn of possible judicial scrutiny, even if the ordinance is passed.
- The move could significantly impact political representation and social equity in Telangana.