Rajasthan OBC Commission submits report to CM Sharma

The Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes (Political Representation) Commission on Wednesday submitted its report on OBC reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

The report was presented by Commission Chairman Madan Lal Bhati, along with Commission members, during a meeting with the Chief Minister.

Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Sharma reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. He said the government was moving swiftly to fulfil its commitment to conduct Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections on time.

Highlighting the benefits of the One State-One Election initiative, he said the system would ensure uninterrupted development and public welfare works while significantly reducing expenditure, saving time and optimising administrative resources.

The Commission prepared the report following a statewide survey of OBC families conducted between July 10 and July 26 using the Rajdhara Survey mobile application. Based on the 17-day exercise, the OBC population in Rajasthan has been estimated at approximately 3.63 crore.

The report will serve as the basis for determining OBC reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. The survey was carried out in compliance with Supreme Court directives through a mobile application developed by the Department of Information Technology.

The Rajasthan State OBC (Political Representation) Commission was constituted on May 9, 2025, under the chairmanship of retired District Judge Madan Lal Bhati. Its members include Mohan Morwal, Prof. Rajiv Saxena, Advocate Gopal Krishna and Pawan Mandavia.

Meanwhile, the Panchayati Raj Department and the Department of Local Self-Government have accelerated preparations for the forthcoming Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections.

As per government guidelines, ward reservations will be determined through a district-level lottery, to be conducted in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties. The draw will decide reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and women.

To facilitate the proposed urban local body elections, the Department of Local Self-Government has authorised all District Collectors to complete the ward reservation process. It has issued a notification in this regard. The elections will be held in 309 urban local bodies across Rajasthan.

District Collectors have been empowered to finalise reservations through a lottery for wards reserved for SCs, STs, OBCs, women and the general category. Following completion of the reservation process, the Panchayati Raj Department and the Department of Local Self-Government will submit their recommendations to the State Election Commission, which will announce the election schedule.

In accordance with the undertaking given before the Rajasthan High Court, the State Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule after August 15, with elections proposed to be held between August 15 and November 15.

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