The State Backward Class Commission set up by the Maharashtra government and headed by retired Justice MG Gaikwad to ascertain the socio-economic backwardness of Marathas, said their suggestion for reservation is likely to submit its report to the state government on Thursday.
Sources have revealed, that the Backward Class Commission has prepared a positive report and have recommended nine per cent reservation for Marathas in the state. However, there are road blocks in its implementation.
According to Section 16 and 17 of the Indian Constitution, reservation can be awarded only on the basis of social and economic backwardness. Furthermore, the reservation should not exceed more than 50 per cent. In Maharashtra, the total reservation is currently 52 per cent. Doubts persist as to where will the Maratha reservation be accommodated in such a situation.
The State Backward Class commission headed by justice MG Gaikwad (retired) scrutinised 1.90 lakh individual petitions and carried out the survey of 42,000 Maratha community families to verify the social and economical backwardness. The commission had a meeting on Tuesday in Pune where they decided to submit the report on Thursday.
“In Maharashtra, Marathas are 32 per cent of the total population deserving 16 per cent reservation. However, some Marathas in Vidarbha region and other pockets known as Kunbis already enjoy reservation under the Other Backward class (OBC) category. Hence the government may not extend the reservation beyond 8 to 12 per cent,” said a senior government official working with backward commission, on condition of anonymity.
Earlier Narayan Rane committee headed by former Congress leader and chief minister had also conducted the survey of 18 lakh across the state and recommended 16% reservation for Maratha community.
However, this decision was struck down by the Bombay High Court pointing to technical issues in it’s implementation.
“People are losing their patience. Maratha community’s economic backwardness is forcing some of them to commit suicides. The commission report should be implemented if it is positive,” said Narayan Rane, president of Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh.
Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan alleged that CM Fadnavis is buying time to implement the reservation. He is waiting for the election code of conduct for the Loksabha polls to be announced so that he can legitimately delay the process.
“We had seen a lot of ups and down. Many youths from the community ended their life for this cause that has to be fulfilled, then only it will be real tribute for these deceased youths,” said Maratha leader Rajendra Khondre.
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