The Chhattisgarh state cabinet is set to convene a crucial meeting today under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Scheduled for 3 PM at the state secretariat, the meeting will focus on several important issues, including the possibility of conducting municipal and three-tier panchayat elections simultaneously.

Key Agenda Items

Simultaneous Elections:Discussions are likely to center around holding urban local body and panchayat elections together to streamline the administrative process. Chhattisgarh currently has 189 urban local bodies, including 123 Nagar Panchayats, 52 Municipal Councils, and 14 Municipal Corporations.

EVMs for Urban Elections: A decision on using electronic voting machines (EVMs) for municipal elections is also expected to be made.

Direct Election of Mayors: The cabinet is likely to approve an ordinance for direct mayoral elections. Currently, mayors and municipal chairpersons are elected indirectly by council members, but the government is considering a return to direct elections, allowing citizens to vote for these positions. This marks a shift from the indirect system introduced by the Congress government in 2018 under then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

OBC Reservation Discussions: The cabinet may also deliberate on reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming elections, a topic of considerable political and social interest.

Importance of the Meeting

This is the second cabinet meeting in a week, following the session held on November 26. The decisions made today could significantly impact the electoral process and governance in the state.

The government’s plan to simplify election administration and reinstate direct elections for mayors reflects its commitment to empowering citizens.

If approved, these changes will mark a major shift in local governance. The outcomes of today’s discussions will shape the course of upcoming elections and address critical governance issues, making this cabinet session one to watch closely.