Break The 'Constitutional Deadlock' On OBC Reservations In Local Body Elections: DMK MP Wilson In Parliament

In his zero-hour speech in the parliament today, Mr. Wilson drew the Union Government's attention to the 'constitutional deadlock' regarding the issue of OBC reservation in local body elections of all states in India.

He pointed out to the Chairman and the members that the concept of OBC reservations is yet to be fully implemented in local body elections, even after the lapse of 28 years since the introduction of constitutional reservations in 1992.

He referred to the 15th Lok Sabha passing a resolution in 2011 to the effect that a Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) should be undertaken. According to this resolution, he stated that a census of all castes except SC/ST was carried out by spending Rs. 4893.60 crores. The government machinery completed this Census with the assistance of States and Union Territories.

Mr. Wilson observed that the Central Government collected the raw caste data from SECC in 2015. Pursuant to this exercise, the Cabinet Committee chaired by Prime Minister decided to screen the raw caste data through an expert Committee under the NITI AYOG to find any infirmities.

After mentioning the above facts, the MP remarked that the expert committee had not been allowed to function to this date.

The above events assume significance in light of the Supreme Court Judgment that OBC Reservations in local body elections can't be implemented unless and until there is empirical data and a dedicated Commission gives the nod. Mr. Wilson noted that this run-up to a 'constitutional deadlock' has been detrimental to the interests of Other Backward Classes.

He also mentioned a Press Release made by the Union Government in December 2021 stating that it will file a review petition before the apex court for allowing the political reservation of OBCs in local body elections. However, he added that this statement has not yet been adhered to by the Government.

He then asked the Union Government if it intended to deprive the states of caste census data already carried out so that the courts strike down their reservation policies. He further added that the Census is a Union subject in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, and states can't conduct caste census.

He ended his speech by earnestly appealing to the Prime Minister to intervene. Breaking the constitutional deadlock requires the release of the Caste Census Data of SECC 2011 for all states. Alternatively, an amendment may be brought to Articles 243(D)(6), 243 (T)(6) of the Constitution that mandates reservations for OBCs in local body elections based upon the empirical data collected by States under Article 342 A(3).

He finally urged the Prime Minister to uphold social justice by paving the way for OBC reservation in local elections.