Maharashtra government to announce 20% job and education quota for Marathas on June 21

Maharashtra government to announce 20% job and education quota for Marathas on June 21

MUMBAI: With an eye on the assembly elections, Maharashtra industry minister Narayan Rane said the decision to allow 20% reservation for the maratha community will be announced on June 21. Rane said since the code of conduct for graduate constituencies will end on June 20, the decision will be announced a day later.

"The decision about granting reservation to the marathas will be taken after June 20. I have recommended a 20 percent reservation which will not affect the existing reservations in the other backward community category. The cabinet will take the decision after the code of conduct gets over on June 20th," Rane informed the Council on Friday.

The government had appointed a committee under Rane to recommend reservation for the maratha community. The committee recommended 20% and submitted its report to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan in March this year. Members of the maratha community during a rally in Mumbai demanding reservation for their community.

However, the state cabinet is yet to take a decision on the committee's recommendation. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, descendent of maratha king Shivaji, has issued an ultimatum to the Maharastra government to introduce quota for the maratha community.  The issue of reservation was raised by MLC Vinayak Mete in the council, as there was no specific deadline mentioned by the government to take a final decision. He said the government is taking decision eyeing the polls and not sure if it will stand in the court.

Opposition leader Vinod Tawade said the government is creating confusion over the issue. "The maratha community should get reservation considering their financial backwardness. The issue was discussed before the Lok Sabha polls but nothing happened after that. Again the issue has been brought forth before the assembly polls for vote politics," Tawade alleged. Rane said the committee surveyed 5.5 lakh families and 18 lakh people from the community. It also reviewed social, educational and financial plight of the maratha community based on which the reservation is recommended.

The reservation is on the lines of Tamil Nadu government, he added and based on the constitutional provisions. The Tamil Nadu government has given 72% reservation when the rules permit 51% . The matter went to the Supreme Court. Also the proposal has been sent to the Backward Class Commission for its approval. "Even if the Commission is not in favour of the report, the government will go ahead with the decision of 20%  reservation," said Rane.

source:TOI

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