Marathasgettheirquota: 16% reserved ingovtjobs,education
Both houses of state legislature pass bill unanimously; caste reservation in Maha rises to 68%
MUMBAI: The Maratha community, a politically influential block that constitutes 30% of Maharashtra’s population, will get 16% reservation in government jobs and education in the state. The state legislature on Thursday cleared a bill — the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in education 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 — tabled by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Both houses of state legislature passed it unanimously, without any discussion.
Following the passage of the bill, caste reservation in the state will rise to 68% from the existing 52%. The quota will come into effect once the state government issues a notification — in all probability by December 1 — following approval from Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. A “creamy layer” condition has been included in the Act, making only those with an annual income of less than ₹8 lakh eligible for reservation benefits under the new
law.
The reservation decision, however, may undergo legal scrutiny as it exceeds the 50% cap mandated by the Supreme Court for caste quotas in any
state. In June 2014, the previous Congress-ncp government too had given 16% reservation to the Maratha community, a move that was set aside by the Bombay high court. The current Bjp-led
state government – which came into power in October 2014 – insists that it has followed a legally viable route, since its decision is based on the recommendations of the Maharashtra
State Commission for Backward Class (MSCBC), a body that has the legal status to decide backwardness of a particular community.
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