Fadnavis said the government is studying the report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on the community's reservation demand.
After the passing of the Maratha reservation bill on Thursday, the issue of Dhangar reservations resurfaced in the state legislative council, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterating his government's commitment to meet the community's demands for more befits. He said a decision would be taken before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Fadnavis said the government is studying the report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on the community's reservation demand. "We have referred it to a Cabinet subcommittee for further approvals. We need to understand two basic differences between Maratha and Dhangar reservations. For Marathas, we need to make the law here in Maharashtra itself, while for Dhangar reservations, we need central government's approval," he said.
Dhangars are a nomadic tribe, which is a subsection of Other Backward Classes (OBC). But they want to be reclassified as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), but the existing ST community is opposed to the demand as it would eat into their benefits.
Fadnavis said Dhangars would get reservations without disturbing the existing 7 per cent ST reservation.
Leader of Opposition in state council, NCP MLC Dhananjay Munde, said, "You told Marathas to be ready for celebrations and ensured approval of reservations. We expect the same for Dhangars."
Fadnavis replied: "We want to resolve the issue scientifically and constitutionally. So we are taking time to understand all issues about Dhangar reservations. We can't make unsubstantial claims in the house like political rallies. We do not want to take any decision in haste."
CASTING A BACKWARD GLANCE
1902
Rajarshi Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj provides job reservations in princely state of Kolhapur for backward classes, in first affirmative action in India
1942
Bombay govt declares 228 communities as intermediate/ backward classes, Marathas included at #149 position
1955
Backward Classes Commission under Kaka Kalelkar identifies 2,399 backward communities
1965
Maharashtra introduces 10% quota for other backward classes and 4% for nomadic and denotified tribes
1980
BP Mandal Commission set up by JP govt in 1979 submits report, does not accept the claim of Marathas and identifies 3,743 backward classes. The report is implemented by the VP Singh government
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