Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approves BC reservations for local body elections

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has approved new reservation quotas for Backward Classes (BCs) in upcoming local body elections. The decision sets a 34% reservation for BCs in Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) and 33.33% in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Existing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) will remain unchanged.

In a move toward administrative reform, the Cabinet decided to introduce direct elections for Mayors and Chairpersons of municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats. Additionally, the number of Zilla Parishads in the state will increase from 13 to 28 to align with recent district reorganizations.

The government aims to hold these local body elections by October to prevent the potential loss of approximately Rs. 16,500 crores in funds from the Central Finance Commission.