The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission submitted its 1,000-page report on Thursday on the social and economic conditions of the Maratha community and spoke in favour of it being given reservations.
The commission, headed by retired Justice MG Gaikwad, handed the report to Maharashtra chief secretary DK Jain on Thursday. It will pave the way for awarding 31 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in the state.
The Commission found many evidences that cemented the backwardness of the community. To establish economic backwardness, 25 per cent of a community's population needs to be below poverty line. It was found that more than 37.28 per cent of Marathas make the grade. Also, the number of people having non-pucca houses should be more than 30 per cent – nearly 70.56 per cent of all Marathas live in such houses. The set percentage criteria for people with low land holding should be 48.25 per cent — the Commission found that 62.78 per cent of the community has low land holdings.
The Commission took heed of the fact that a large number of Marathas have migrated to cities and are working as coolies and dabbawalas, further providing evidence of economic backwardness.
Earlier in the day, at a rally in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said some people had threatened to launch a fresh agitation for quota on November 26. "Instead of agitating, be ready for celebration," he said at the rally, indicating that the demand will be fulfilled.
To arrive at it's conclusion the Commission scrutinized over two lakh petitions/applications and surveyed over 50,000 families across Maharashtra. "We identified two talukas in every district, and picked five villages with them to zero in on 50,000 families for to study," said a member of the committee.
Social and economical backwardness were assessed using a 25-point system – 10 points were allotted for social backwardness, eight for educational and seven for economical.
"To determine Social Backwardness, we verified historical and social references and case laws; while for Education, we collected data from universities," says a source. "To verify Economic backwardness, we studied the incomes of focus group. All the collected data was analyzed scientifically. It was mammoth task."
Now that the job is done, the ball is in the state government's court to decide how much quota to allot. As per established norms, a community gets 50 per cent against its total percentage of the population – for instance, if Marathas comprise 30 per cent of the population, they will get 15 per cent reservation.
There are many challenges before the recommendation become a reality. Retired judge and legal expert Ashok Khilare says awarding reservations is the long and complicated process. "The commission report will have to be tabled before the Cabinet and then the state Assembly for approval," he says. "If they green light it, the report will be sent to the Centre to make constitutional amendments to add Marathas to the list of reserved communities. These changes will then have to be approved in the both houses of Parliament. Following which, the President's assent is sought. If all these things work out, only then only the Maratha community will get reservations. Otherwise, the report can easily be challenged in Bombay High Court."
MAMMOTH TASK
The Commission found many evidences that proved the backwardness of the community
37.28% – live below poverty line
70.56% – live in non-pucca houses
62.78% – have low land holdings
STEPS TO QUOTA
- Approval of Cabinet, state Assembly
- Centre adds Marathas to list of reserved communities
- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha okay changes
- President gives assent
Hitch! Report can be challenged in court
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