Shimla, April 7 -- In a significant setback to the government, the Himachal Pradesh high court (HC) has stayed the state government's decision to grant deputy commissioners (DCs) discretionary powers to modify the reservation roster in up to 5% of seats for the upcoming panchayat polls.

The high court further said any reservation roaster made under the new regulations will have to be redrawn. It reiterated its directive to all DCs to finalise and implement the reservation rosters for the polls by April 7, without fail.

The detailed order is awaited.

The decision comes during hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the HC.

Petitioner's advocate, Nand Lal, said, "The state government did not have the power to bring in the...