DNA EXCLUSIVE: 'EBCs may eat into Maratha pie'

The politically influential Maratha community, which was recently granted a 16 per cent quota in jobs and education under the Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) category in Maharashtra, may find the newly-secured quota in uncharted waters.

This could be a result of the Centre's proposed move to amend the country's Constitution to provide 10 per cent quota for the economically backward in the general category, which will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation. The constitutional amendment will be applicable to all states — meaning Maharashtra's quota, which rose to 68 per cent from 52 per cent, will automatically come down to 60 per cent. This could lead to a cut in the Maratha quota by 8 per cent.

Organisations representing the Maratha community argued that in the event of a cut, the State will have to accommodate the community in the 32 per cent quota currently provided to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Political observers, however, say this may pit the Marathas and OBCs against each other.

In view of the enactment of the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in educational institutions in the state and for appointments in the public services and posts under the state) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018, the Marathas have been brought under the reserved category and won't benefit from the Centre's decision.

Scholar on the issue of reservation, Dr Balasaheb Sarate, told DNA, "The 16 per cent quota currently granted to the Maratha community will have to be reduced if the Central government goes for the constitutional amendment to implement the newly-introduced quota based on the on economic criteria. In that case, the state government will have to include the Maratha community in the existing 32 per cent quota for OBCs by restructuring the reservation pattern as the Maratha community has already been declared SEBC and it is also inadequately represented in the state government services."

Dr Sarate said the Marathas were given the benefits of reservation under the articles of 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution.

Akhil Bharatiya Maratha Mahasangh general secretary Rajendra Kondhare said that Marathas won't be entitled to benefits under the quota proposed by the Centre.

Maratha Kranti Morcha convenor Vinod Patil too admitted that the Centre's decision will not benefit Marathas in Maharashtra. "However, Marathas will be entitled to benefits in Central government jobs and educational institutes,'' he noted.

Sharing Room With The OBCs

• Organisations representing the Maratha community argued that in the event of a cut in their share of reservation, Maharashtra government will have to accommodate the community in the 32 per cent quota currently provided to Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
• Political observers, however, say this may pit the Marathas and OBCs against each other