Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to challenge the High Court order regarding reservation of seats in different urban local bodies (ULB) in the Supreme Court.

“The State government has decided to move the Supreme Court against the High Court order on reservation of seats in urban local body elections. The State government would file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the apex court challenging the verdict of the High Court,” informed Sangramjit Nayak, Director, Municipal Administration.

It may be mentioned here that elections in several ULBs in the State are due this year.

"During analysis of reservation status of SC, ST and Backward Class of Citizens of 113 ULBs, it is seen that 55 ULBs have crossed the limit of 50 per cent of reservation of seats. A similar situation also arises regarding the reservation of office of Mayor for municipal corporations.

"No percentage is fixed for reservation of seats for ST and SC candidates. BCC reservation is 27 per cent. ST and SC reservation is based on their population. Hence at many places, it goes above 50 per cent. It's not fixed. It all depends on the population at the particular place or area," he said.

He said the State Election Commission had ordered for due completion of delimitation of wards and reservation of seats.

"Our election process is still on. Whatever the Supreme Court verdict will pronounce, action will be taken accordingly," said Nayak.

Notably, the Orissa High court had earlier asked the State government not to exceed 50 per cent total reservation of seats for the scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and other backward classes (OBC) in the forthcoming ULB polls barring scheduled areas. It had also asked the State government to limit the reservation of seats for Other Backward Class (OBC) s to not more than 11 per cent as against 27 per cent earlier.(with IANS inputs)