Can State Legislatures introduce additional measures to support and empower Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women Chairpersons?
Yes, according to the context provided in Article 243(O), State Legislatures can introduce additional measures to support and empower Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women Chairpersons. They can make provisions for reservation of seats in any Panchayat or offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at any level in favor of these groups beyond what is already provided under clauses (1) and (2), and the reservation for women as per clause (4). However, these additional measures must not interfere with the existing provisions regarding the duration of Panchayats or their dissolution specified in Article 243(E).