HC tells govt: Issue ward quota list of ULBs by July 31

The Karnataka High Court pulled up the state government for not issuing the reservation list to State Election Commission despite the undertaking given in the last hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing and granted time to the state to issue the reservation list before July 31 following the assurance by Advocate General Uday Holla.

The State Election Commission (SEC) had moved the court, seeking directions to the state to issue final notification of delimitation of wards to 18 Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and notification of reservation of seats of all wards of 215 ULBs.

The bench expressed its disappointment towards the state for not adhering to the court’s directions and not keeping its word.

In the last hearing the state had submitted before the court by way of an undertaking that it will issue the list by the first week of July. This was recorded by the court and the matter was disposed of.

The court further orally observed that “this was a serious matter and government should not delay in issuing the list. The delay on part of the government is a violation of the court’s directions.”

The court adjourned the hearing to July 31.