17Reservation of seats

(1) In every municipality, out of the total strength of elected members determined under section 15, the State Government shall subject to such rules as may be prescribed, by notification, reserve--

(i) such number of seats to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as may be determined by them, subject to the condition that the number of seats so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to the Municipal Council, as the population of the Scheduled Castes, or as the case may be, of the Scheduled Tribes in that municipality bears to the total population of that municipality; and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different wards in the municipality;

(ii) not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved under sub-section (1) shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes;

(iii) not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Tribes and the Scheduled Castes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to every Council, for women; and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different wards in a municipality.

Explanation.--In this section the expressions "Scheduled Castes", "Scheduled Tribes" shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in clauses (24) and (25) of article 366 of the Constitution of India.

(2) The office of Chairpersons of the municipalities shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the State Government may prescribe by notification in this regard.

(3) The reservation of seats under sub-section (1) including the reservation of office of Chairperson (other than the reservation for women) under sub-section (2) shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in article 334 of the Constitution of India.