HC directs TN govt to file reply on reservation for SCs, STs

The Madras High Court today directed the state government to file a reply on a PIL seeking proportionate reservation for people belonging to SC and ST community, in rural posts like chairman and vice-chairman in all town panchayats and municipalities in the state.
The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan, which heard the PIL, directed the Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department and the State Election Commission to file the reply and also directed the petitioners to file the rejoinder for the response within two weeks.
The PIL was first filed in 2006 and in 2011, a miscellaneous petition was filed by Thol Thirumavalavan, founder of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and two others.

The petitioners had contended that an amendment was brought to the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1920 providing for proportionate reservation of seats for persons belonging to SC/ST in every town panchayat.
The petitioners had submitted that instead of providing proportionate reservation to the members of SC, ST community, for the post of chairman of town panchayats and municipalities, the authorities are providing reservation proportionate to the general population in all the town panchayats and the municipalities in the state.
Stating that it was against the provisions pertaining to reservation stipulated in Part IX A of the Constitution, the petitioners prayed for an early date of hearing of the PIL.

The bench after ordering for filing a counter and rejoinders posted the matter for further hearing to August 3.