The State government has reiterated its resolve to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court’s interim orders directing the government not to exceed reservations in the elections to local bodies beyond 50%.

The Cabinet sub-committee constituted to examine the issue under the chairmanship of Minister Jupally Krishna Rao discussed in detail the fall out of the High Court’s order on Wednesday. It has resolved to ensure that reservations for backward classes are maintained at at least 34%. Mr. Krishna Rao said the government had taken all necessary steps to conduct elections to the Panchayat Raj bodies before the expiry of the term of the existing bodies.

He said the Supreme Court had allowed 61% reservations in the previous Panchayat Raj elections, but the High Court wanted the quota to be capped at 50%. The government had decided to approach the Apex court seeking its permission to ensure that reservations were maintained at 61% for the current elections too.

The Cabinet panel also discussed about the interim arrangements that should be made if the elections could not be held before the expiry of the term of the existing panchayats. It was decided to discuss about the options before the government including appointment of special officers to govern the affairs of the panchayat raj bodies till such time elections were held in the next meeting of the State Cabinet.

The Cabinet would also discuss about the modalities that should be adopted relating to enumeration of the backward classes. The State government had in the past requested the Centre to allow the State to take a decision on the quantum of reservations for local bodies and it was decided to approach the Centre seeking its consent for the request.

Ministers Eatala Rajender, Tummala Nageswara Rao, T. Harish Rao, A. Indrakaran Reddy and Jogu Rammana, Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi, Panchayat Raj principal secretary Vikas Raj, PR Commissioner Neetu Prasad, Law Secretary Niranjan Rao and Additional Advocate General Ramachandra Rao were among those who attended the meeting.

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