The provisions of reservation on the post for the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Women in the Gram Panchayat

(1) Seats shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes in every Gram Panchayat and the number of seats so reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes or the Backward Classes in the Gram Panvchayat shall bear as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of such seats as the population of the Scheduled Castes in Panchayat area or of the Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayat area or of the Backward Classes in the Panchayat area bears to the total population of such area and such seats may be alloted by rotation to different territorial constituencies;

Provided that the reservation for the Backwards classes shall not exceed fourteen percent of the total number of Gram Panchayat;

Provided further that if the figures of population of the Backward Classes are not available, their population may be determined by carrying out a survey in the prescribed manner;

Provided further also that not less than one half of the total number shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes.

(2) Not less than one half of the total number, including the number reserved under third proviso of sub-section (1), shall be reserved for women and the reserved under this section shall be allotted by rotation to different Gram Panchayats in such as may be prescribed.

Explanation–Nothing in this section shall prevent persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Backward Classes and the women from contesting election to unreserved seats.