Justice Bhaktavatsala Commission to study political representation for Backward Classes in Karnataka

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Sunday issued orders to constitute a Commission to conduct a study of political representation for backward classes in the state.

The committee will be headed by Justice Bhaktavatsala and retired IAS officer CR Chikmath has been appointed as a member of the Commission, the order said.

The Commission has been constituted following a Supreme Court instruction in a case related to ensuring suitable representation for backward classes in Panchayat Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

The issue was discussed at an all-party meeting held on March 23 and 31 and it was decided to hold the elections to these democratic institutions only after making provision for reservations for these communities.

The Commission would make suitable recommendations after studying the political backwardness of backward classes in these democratic institutions.

This is likely to delay the Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat elections in the state. About 7 months ago, the state government had constituted a Delimitation Commission headed by a retired IAS officer S Lakshminarayana for identifying the boundaries and constituencies. However, the exercise can now be completed only after the report of the Justice Bhaktavatsala Commission is released.

(With ANI inputs)