Shruti Suman
Today marks a significant milestone for Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange as the Maharashtra Cabinet has given its nod to the Maratha Quota. Following a special session of the Maharashtra Cabinet, a 10% reservation for Marathas has been sanctioned for government and educational positions within the state. The bill, which extends the quota to Marathas beyond the 50% threshold, has been ratified, mirroring the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act of 2018, previously introduced by the Devendra Fadnavis administration. Notably, this marks the third occasion in the past decade that the state has enacted legislation pertaining to the Maratha quota. The decision to convene a special session was propelled by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who is currently staging a hunger strike in Antarwali Saarati village, located in the Jalna district.
10% Maratha Quota Approved by Maharashtra Cabinet
As previously indicated, this marks a significant victory for those advocating for the Maratha Quota, including Manoj Jarange. Following the special session, the Mahayuti government under the leadership of Eknath Shinde has passed the bill to extend reservations to Marathas beyond the 50% threshold in a dedicated session of the state legislature. A total of ten percent reservation for Marathas has been designated for government and educational positions. The extension of this reservation is based on a report submitted to the state government by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC), chaired by Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre. It’s worth noting that the state already possesses a 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), where Marathas constitute the largest beneficiary group, claiming 85% of the reservation.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Maratha Quota
Emphasizing the adherence to legal provisions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stressed on Friday that Maratha reservation will be granted according to the prescribed terms of the law, following the presentation of the report during the special assembly session convened on February 20. “The survey has encompassed nearly 2-2.5 crore individuals… With the aim of ensuring that the OBC community isn’t left behind, the government will present the report to the cabinet committee. On February 20, a special assembly session has been scheduled, following which Maratha reservation will be granted in accordance with legal provisions…,” CM Shinde remarked.
On Friday, the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission submitted a report on the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community, following a survey conducted in around 2.5 crore households within a span of only nine days. The committee proposed a 10% reservation for Marathas in education and employment, akin to the provision granted in 2018 by the previous state government.
