India, Oct. 11 -- Pre-poll data from urban and rural bodies in Maharashtra's districts have shown that over 20% of municipal councils and nagar panchayats (city councils) have crossed the reservation cap of 50%. The information revealed by respective divisional commissioners from 290 bodies recently, showed 59 bodies had exceeded the quota up to 60%.

This came on the back of the State Election Commission (SEC) mandating that the reservation of seats for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, which govern smaller cities and towns, be finalized by the end of October.

The 50% cap on reservation came into effect following the Indra Sawhney and K Krishna Murthi verdicts of 1992 and 2010 respectively, which were ratified by courts several t...