Maratha Reservation Bill Tabled In Maharashtra Assembly: Here's All You Need To Know

In a significant development, the Maratha Reservation Bill was tabled by CM Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today (20 February).

Earlier, the Maharashtra Cabinet had given the green light to the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission's report, endorsing the recognition of the Maratha community as a socially and educationally backward class.

As per the approved report, the Maratha community is set to receive a 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs within the state.

A bill is introduced promptly to formalize the extension of reservations to the Marathas.

The Commission's report, submitted to the Maharashtra Government last Friday (16 February), recommended specifying the Maratha community under Article 342A(3) of the Constitution of India.

It further advocated for reservations under Article 15(4), 15(5), and Article 16(4), citing the socio-economic backwardness prevalent within the Maratha community, with 84 per cent identified as not advanced or well-to-do.

Importantly, the report also highlights exceptional circumstances warranting the allocation of reservations exceeding the 50 per cent cap.

It recognizes the necessity and visibility of providing the 10 per cent reservation in both public services and educational institutions for the Maratha community.

Meanwhile, Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil said that, "This decision of the government has been taken by keeping election and votes in mind. This is a betrayal to the Maratha community...Maratha community won't trust you. We will benefit only from our original demands. Make a law on ‘sage-soyare’."

"This reservation won't hold. The Government will now lie that the reservation has been given," he added.

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