Part IXA: The Municipalities

Article 243T: Reservation of Seats

Original Article:

Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in Municipalities, with rotational allotment of constituencies to ensure equitable representation.

Amendments:

Introduced as part of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, this Article emphasizes social justice and gender equality in urban governance.

Explanation:

Article 243T ensures reserved representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women in Municipal governance to promote inclusivity and empower marginalized communities.

Clause-by-Clause Explanation:

SC/ST Reservation: Seats are reserved for SCs and STs based on their population in the municipal area.
Reservation for Women: One-third of reserved seats for SCs, STs, and the total seats in Municipalities are reserved for women.
Chairperson Reservation: Chairperson offices may also be reserved for SCs, STs, and women, as determined by State Legislatures.

Legislative History:

The 74th Amendment Act institutionalized Article 243T to promote equity and inclusion in Municipal governance, addressing historical inequalities in representation.

Real-life Examples:

In Rajasthan, Municipal elections saw significant representation of SC, ST, and women candidates due to reserved seats under Article 243T.
In Mumbai, women from SC and ST communities actively participate in governance, holding leadership roles in wards and committees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How are reserved seats allocated in Municipalities?

Seats are reserved proportionally to the population of SCs and STs in the municipal area and are rotated among constituencies.

What is the role of women in reserved Municipal seats?

Women hold at least one-third of the total seats, including those reserved for SCs and STs, ensuring gender representation in governance.

Can backward classes get reservations in Municipalities?

Yes, State Legislatures can make provisions for reservations for backward classes in Municipalities under Article 243T(6).

Debates and Deliberations:

During discussions on the 74th Amendment:

Ms. Sarojini Mahishi highlighted the importance of reserving seats for women to foster gender equality in urban governance.
Mr. P.A. Sangma advocated for proportional representation for SCs and STs to empower marginalized communities.

These debates were instrumental in shaping the provisions of Article 243T.