Odisha Govt To Withdraw Panchayat Poll Seat Reservation Notification

The Odisha government on Wednesday informed the Orissa High Court that it will withdraw the notification issued for reservation of seats for the three-tier Panchayat elections likely to be held early next year.

The government also informed the Court that it will issue a fresh notification regarding the reservation of seats on December 27.

The government will invite objections on the reservation guidelines till January 3, 2022 and resolve the objections by January 5. It will submit the final reservation list to the State Election Commission (SEC) on January 7.

The Court has directed the government to wrap up the election process by March 8. 

According to sources, the Odisha Panchayati Raj department had notified the guidelines of reservation to the offices of PRI, members of Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Sarpanch on October 1. 

However, the notification was challenged in the High Court. Hearing the petition, the Court on November 22 had sought response from the State Election Commission.