Shimla, Feb. 5 -- The Himachal Pradesh government has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in Supreme Court against the order of Himachal high court directing state to conduct panchayat and urban local body elections by April 30. A senior officer confirmed that the state government has moved the SC and sought legal clarity on whether elections can be held while the National Disaster Management Act (DMA) continues to remain in force due to prevailing disaster-related conditions. The High Court on January 9 while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL), had directed the State Election Commission and the state to finalise reservation rosters by February 28 and ensure that panchayat and municipal elections are conducted before April 30. In its petition before the apex court, the state government has argued that the High Court's directions did not adequately account for ground realities, particularly disrupted connectivity in several parts of the state and the continued enforcement of the Disaster Management Act. The government has maintained that while panchayat elections are governed under the State Panchayati Raj Act, disaster management is a subject legislated by Parliament, and the DMA continues to be applicable in Himachal Pradesh in view of recurring disaster conditions....