In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld multi-member ward systems in Gujarat municipalities, rejecting the argument that Articles 243R and 243S of the Constitution mandate single-member wards. The Court held that the Constitution does not prohibit the State Legislature from providing for multiple representatives from a single ward. While Article 243S uses singular terminology when describing Ward Committee composition, this does not restrict the number of municipality members who can represent a ward. The Court also found that increasing reserved seats for weaker sections through multi-member wards enhances, rather than diminishes, their empowerment. The procedural challenge to notifications was dismissed as the impugned notification dated 04.12.2014 was independent and not in breach of any 30-day objection period. Civil Appeal dismissals upheld.
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