GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government announced raising reservation for OBC candidates in local body elections in the state to 27%, which was previously set at 10%.

Tuesday’s decision followed recommendations of the Justice K S Jhaveri Commission that was formed in response to a Supreme Court directive in 2022 to make suggestions for OBC reservation in local bodies in Gujarat.The expanded 27% OBC reservation will apply to all levels of local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, taluka panchayats, and district panchayats, paving the way for forthcoming elections within these entities.

However, the increased OBC reservation will not be applicable in areas covered by the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, where the scheduled tribe (ST) population exceeds 50%.

In such regions, OBC candidates will receive a 10% reservation.CM Bhupendra Patel assured that the 27% quota for OBCs will not affect existing reservations for candidates from SCs - STs.

“This decision reflects the PM’s call of ensuring that all sections of society are given an opportunity to flourish,” he told reporters at the party HQ in Koba.