Bhubaneswar, Oct 26 (IANS): The Odisha government has asked all district collectors to complete delimitation of wards and reservation of seats in 105 municipalities and NACs by December 13 this year.

After making necessary amendments to the laws to cap reservation of seats in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) within 50 per cent, the State government has issued this instruction to the collectors.

In a letter to the collectors, director of municipal administration (DMA) Sangramjit Nayak on Monday said, "I am directed to inform you that consequent upon amendment to the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950, after careful consideration, government has been pleased to decide that the delimitation of wards & reservation of seats for the general election to municipalities and NACs of the state shall be made afresh."

The five year term of councils of 101 ULBs and six month period in case of newly constituted four NACs have already been completed, he said.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has desired that necessary immediate steps may be taken by the government for issue of schedule for delimitation of wards & reservation of seats at the earliest, so as to enable the SEC to take steps for preparation of electoral roll and conduct of election, Nayak said.

Accordingly, as a part of the action plan, the collectors have been directed to take necessary steps to divide the municipal areas into wards and to reserve seats for SC, ST, BCC and women as per the amended Act.

Similarly, the municipal commissioners of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur have been asked to complete the exercise by January 20, 2022.

Notably, the elections for formation of councils of the ULBs in Odisha have been delayed by over two years due to legal huddle on reservation of seats.