The Odisha Panchayat Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed in the State Assembly on Wednesday.
The Odisha Grama Panchayat Act, 1964, the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Act, 1959 and Odisha Zilla Parishad Act, 1991 provide reservation of seats to the extent of 27percent of in favour of the backward classes in PRI elections, while for SCs and STs, reservation of seats is made in proportion to their population in a panchayat. However, despite the 50percent cap for reservation of seats for SCs, STs and backward classes by the order of the Orissa HC and the Supreme Court ruling in K Krishna Murthy case, the reservation of seats exceeded 50percent. Consequently, there was a need to amend the relevant provisions of the Odisha Grama Panchayat Act, 1964, the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Act, 1959 and Odisha Zilla Parishad Act, 1991 to maintain the reservation of seats ceiling by 50per cent, including the reservation of seats for the backward classes.