Shimla, June 3 -- In a significant move ahead of the formation of new urban local bodies, the Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday declared the offices of Mayor in four Municipal Corporations Solan, Palampur, Mandi and Dharamshala, as unreserved for a period of five years.

According to a notification issued by Principal Secretary (Urban Development) Devesh Kumar, the decision has been taken by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh under the provisions of Section 36 of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, read with Rule 12 of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Election) Rules, 2012.

The notification specifies that the mayoral offices in the four civic bodies will remain open to candidates from all categories duri...