Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court OBC Commission Report has once again become the focus of the ongoing Gram Panchayat election matter in Uttar Pradesh. The High Court has given the Uttar Pradesh government one final opportunity to submit the report prepared by the OBC Commission on reservation for Gram Pradhan and Gram Panchayat member posts. The Court also asked the government to clearly explain when Panchayat elections will be held.
Details of UP Panchayat Reservation Row
The case was filed by petitioner Arvind Rathore, who challenged government orders issued under Section 12(3-A) of the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1947. The petitioner argued that this provision had already been declared unconstitutional by the Allahabad High Court in an earlier judgment because it violated Articles 243E and 243K of the Constitution, which guarantee a fixed five-year term for Panchayats and require timely elections.
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UP Panchayat Reservation Row: What Did the State Government Tell the Court
The Uttar Pradesh Government informed the Court that it had appointed an OBC Commission to study reservation issues related to Gram Panchayat elections. According to the government, Panchayat elections cannot be conducted until the Commission submits its report on OBC reservation.
What Did the High Court Say
Justice Siddharth Nandan, hearing the matter, observed that the Commission’s report had still not been submitted despite earlier court directions. The Court granted the State Government a last opportunity to file a detailed affidavit along with the OBC Commission report, if available. The government must also provide a clear timeline for conducting Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Concern Over Delay in Panchayat Elections
The State Election Commission informed the Court that it has not received the required support and machinery from the State Government because the OBC reservation exercise is still pending. The Court noted that elected Gram Pradhans cannot continue indefinitely in an administrative role and stressed the importance of holding elections within the constitutional framework.
Next Hearing
The Allahabad High Court has listed the matter for July 13, 2026. By that date, the Uttar Pradesh Government is expected to submit the OBC Commission report and explain the schedule for completing the Panchayat election process.
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