Bhubaneswar: The housing and urban development department has issued a draft notification proposing reservation of the offices of chairpersons in 35 municipalities and notified area councils (NACs) across the state ahead of the forthcoming urban local body elections.The draft notification has been published under the provisions of the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950, and the Odisha Municipal (Delimitation of Wards, Reservation of Seats and Conduct of Election) Rules, 1994. The state govt has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public within 15 days from the date of publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette, which is July 15.According to the proposed reservation list, 11 NACs have been reserved for Scheduled Caste (Women), including Patrapur, Salepur, Bissamcuttack, Jagannathprasad, Tihidi, Sohela, Birmaharajpur, Narasinghpur, Narla, Simulia and Badamba.Another eight urban local bodies such as Loisingha, Dhusuri, Pallahara, Jashipur, Basta, Tangi, Chatrapur municipality and others have been earmarked for the Scheduled Caste category.The notification further proposes reservation of seven NACs, including Chitrada, Bangriposi, Kaptipada, Betanati, Bamra, Rengali and Borigumma, for Scheduled Tribe (Women) candidates, while Rasagobindapur, Gondia, Jayapatana and Chandikhol have been proposed under the Scheduled Tribe category.Three municipalities such as Boudhagada, Asika and Bhanjanagar, along with Kabisuryanagar Municipality, have been proposed to be reserved for women candidates. Meanwhile, Polasara municipality and Odagaon NAC have been kept under the Unreserved category.The govt stated that any objection or suggestion submitted to the office of the director of municipal administration within the stipulated period will be considered before the reservations are finalised.The department has also directed district magistrates and executive officers of the concerned municipalities and NACs to give wide publicity to the draft notification by displaying it on office notice boards and ensuring public awareness.
