Maharashtra Assembly approves 16% reservation for ‘Marathas’ in education, jobs

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 29: Paving way for reservation to Marathas, Maharashtra state Assembly has unanimously passed a Bill proposing 16 per cent reservation under Socially and Educationally Backward Class of citizens (SEBC) category.

The Bill provides reservation for Marathas in educational institutions and public services posts. The Marathas comprise more than 30% of Maharashtra’s population, have been demanding reservation in education and government jobs for a long time.

Before presenting the Bill, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the Action Taken Report (ATR) on State Backward Class Commission’s (SBCC) recommendations for reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education.

Fadnavis also tabled the recommendations of the SBCC’s report on the social, educational and financial status of the community. As per the report, the Panel recommended for Marathas to be declared as SEBC as they have inadequate representation in services under the state.

The state government had formed the panel headed by retired Justice M G Gaikwad, after statewide agitation of Marathas.

The panel after going through various parameters suggested that Marathas are entitled to reservation benefits and advantages enshrined in the Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution.