Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 16: In a major relief for thousands of local body representatives, the Maharashtra government has extended the deadline by 12 months for submission of caste validity certificates required to contest elections on reserved seats in Gram Panchayats, Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

An ordinance to this effect has been issued by governor Ramesh Bais, as published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette (Extraordinary Part Four) dated April 30. The move aims to prevent disqualification of elected members from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and backward classes due to delays in certificate issuance by the verification committee.

Despite timely applications by many candidates, the delay in processing due to the committee's heavy workload has led to disqualifications in the past. Over 11,000 such applications remain pending, prompting the government to invoke the Maharashtra (Gram Panchayat, Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections) Temporary Extension of Time for Submission of Validity Certificate Act, 2023 (Maha 35 of 2023).

The extension is intended to ensure uninterrupted functioning of local bodies and protect members from being unfairly removed due to administrative delays beyond their control.

Meanwhile, the state election commission has instructed the state government to begin the process of ward formation (delimitation) for upcoming urban and rural body elections, including the crucial BMC polls. The move follows a Supreme Court directive mandating the conduct of overdue elections within four months. On the issue of OBC quota, the apex court stated that the reservation structure should revert to its pre-Banthia Commission status of July 2022.