Apex court warns Maharashtra govt. on 50% quota limit, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court cautioned the Maharashtra government against breaching the 50% quota limit for OBC reservations in upcoming local body elections scheduled for December.
• The court emphasized that elections would only be permitted if the OBC quota remained within the 50% limit, as established in the K. Krishna Murthy v. Union of India case.
• The J.K. Banthia Commission report recommended a 27% quota for OBCs, which would raise the aggregate reservation to 70%, a point raised by petitioners.
• In May 2025, the Supreme Court had permitted local body elections, provided OBC reservation remained consistent with pre-Banthia Commission levels.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court's directive is rooted in the principle that vertical reservations in local bodies cannot exceed 50%, as mandated by a Constitution Bench judgment.
• The Maharashtra government sought permission to proceed with elections based on the J.K. Banthia Commission report of 2022, which the court is currently reviewing for validity.
• Litigation concerning the implementation of OBC reservation has caused delays in local body elections in the state since 2022.
• The court's intervention underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional mandates while ensuring the continuation of grassroots democracy.

Key Concepts Involved:

• OBC Reservation: The allocation of seats in educational institutions, jobs, or political bodies for individuals belonging to Other Backward Classes.
• Vertical Reservation: Reservation applied within each category such as SC, ST, OBC, and General.
• Sub Judice: A matter currently under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussion elsewhere.