Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) may be introduced in the upcoming municipal elections in Odisha, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra indicated on Monday.The Minister said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is giving priority to the issue and Odisha Government has already initiated steps towards providing reservation to these categories in Urban Local Body (ULB) elections.According to Mahapatra, an SEBC Commission has been constituted to facilitate the process. The government is working towards ensuring that the municipal elections are conducted on time, he added. The Minister further stated that the process of providing reservation has already begun, while the delimitation exercise is also underway.The proposed reservation is expected to be an important aspect of the preparations for upcoming civic polls. However, the State government is yet to announce the final reservation framework or confirm the extent of representation for the two categories.The ongoing delimitation exercise and the work of the SEBC Commission are among the key steps being undertaken ahead of the elections. The Minister’s remarks indicate that the government is considering greater representation for SEBC and OBC communities in urban local bodies.“We have completed the new process to the extent possible so far. We are also considering areas that fall outside urban limits and exploring the possibility of including them in the process, which is still underway, and we are working within the stipulated timeframe. The Chief Minister wants to include the SEBC/OBC category as well. However, any provision for OBC inclusion will be based on the report of OBC Commission constituted by the State government,” the Minister said.Notably, the Department has revised the timeline for delimitation of wards and reservation of seats in municipalities and Notified Area Councils (NACs) ahead of the ULB elections. As per the revised schedule, District Magistrates have been directed to publish the draft notification inviting objections and suggestions on the proposed ward delimitation and seat reservation by December 10, 2026.The last date for receiving objections and suggestions has been fixed for December 19, while the provisional notification will be published on December 24. Appeals against the provisional notification can be filed before the Housing and Urban Development Department between December 24, 2026, and January 7, 2027.The government will hear and dispose of the appeals by January 25, 2027, and the final notification on ward delimitation and reservation of seats is scheduled to be issued by January 30, 2027.
SEBC, OBC reservation likely in upcoming Odisha municipal elections: Minister
