Overview

• Lawmakers approved amendments to the Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Acts to remove the 50% ceiling and enable 42% reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies.
• The Cabinet set a target to complete municipal and panchayat elections by September 30 under the revised reservation framework.
• Two previously passed bills and an earlier ordinance seeking the same outcome remain with the President, raising unresolved questions over breaching the Supreme Court-era cap.
• The government will apply SC and ST shares based on the 2001 census and will rely on a state caste survey placing BCs near 56% to defend the enhancement.
• Ministers said an all-party delegation will ask the Governor to clear the new measures, as BRS members backed higher BC reservations yet urged Centre-level action or a constitutional amendment.