Reservation of seats
Article 243T — Reservation of seats
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in every Municipality and the number of seats so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Municipality as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the Municipal area or of the Scheduled Tribes in the Municipal area bears to the total population of that area and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality. (2) Not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved under clause (1) shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or, as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.
(3) Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality. (4) The offices of Chairpersons in the Municipalities shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide. (5) The reservation of seats under clauses (1) and (2) and the reservation of offices of Chairpersons (other than the reservation for women) under clause (4) shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in article 334. (6) Nothing in this Part shall prevent the Legislature of a State from making any provision for reservation of seats in any Municipality or offices of Chairpersons in the Municipalities in favour of backward class of citizens.
Plain English Summary
This article deals with reserving seats in Municipalities (city councils) for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on their population proportion. It also mandates reservations for women belonging to these communities and sets rules for who can be the Chairperson of the Municipality.
Key Points
- Proportional Reservation: Seats reserved for SCs and STs in a Municipality will be allocated based on the population share of these communities within that area compared to the total population.
- Women's Reservation: At least one-third of the seats reserved for SCs or STs must be reserved for women belonging to those communities.
- Overall Women's Reservation: Not less than one-third of all seats in the Municipality must be reserved for women, which includes reservations for both SCs and STs.
- Chairperson Posts: Offices of Chairpersons in Municipalities can be reserved for SCs, STs, and women as per the rules made by the State Legislature.
Why It Matters
This article ensures that marginalized communities (SCs and STs) have representation in local governance bodies, while also promoting gender equality within these reservations.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.