CM wants breathing room of four months

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while retreating his assurance on extending reservation to the Maratha community, asked for a breathing room of four months to tackle the quota stir.

At the same time, he has promised that the legal and constitutional procedures would be completed by the end of November this year by using the good offices of the State Backward Class Commission.

He also assured that till then, the proposed mega-recruitment will not be launched.

Addressing the State on Doordarshan and All India Radio, he appealed to Maratha youths not to commit suicide.

He informed the people that the state backward class commission has been formed on the directions of the Supreme Court. It is an autonomous body and the government cannot give it instructions.

"The Bombay High Court has asked the commission to submit a time bound programme and this will be done in the next hearing on August 7," Fadnavis said.

But, he was adamant, the legal work will be completed before November. "If need be, we are ready to call a special session of the state legislature. We are bound to award reservation without disturbing the existing quota of Scheduled Caste (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs),’’ he said.

Addressing the minorities and Dhangar community, which are also demanding a slice of the quota pie,

Fadnavis said the Tata Institute of Social Sciences is conducting a survey of Dhangar community in other states as well as in various parts of Maharashtra. Their report is expected to be submitted to the government by month end.

He added that the recent violence in the industrial belt of Chakan in Pune and Aurangabad has dented the image of the state. "In this situation, why will investors consider investing in Maharashtra,’’ Fadnavis said, voicing his distress.

He further appealed to them to desist from violence and hold discussions with the State.