Maratha reservation: Commission may submit final report on Nov 15

The much-awaited report of the Backward Class Commission on the socio-economic ‘backwardness’ of the Maratha community is likely to be finalised by November 15. This comes after the Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that the commission is presently finalising its report pertaining to the ‘status’ of Marathas in state employment and other fields. Special counsel Ravi Kadam, appearing for the government, tendered an affidavit before the division bench of Justices Rajendra Savant and Kishor Sonawane on Tuesday.

The affidavit, filed by the joint secretary of Social Justice Department of the government, stated, “The commission has already commenced its preliminary work to study the historical aspect and also the study of the legal provisions as well as the reports or opinions received from the five experts’ panel on the issue of reservation. The commission will make all efforts to complete the task of preparation of the final report and submit it to the government by the end of November 15, 2018.”

The affidavit also states till date, the commission has received data from various government departments and universities, regarding the representation of the Marathas working/studying in the institutions.

“In the public hearings held in the first week of August at various places, the commission has received a large number of representations in writing. The representations have been scientifically analysed by the five experts’ panel and it has submitted its report to the commission and the same will be further discussed in the meetings scheduled in the second week of September at Pune,” the affidavit reads.

The affidavit further states the commission has appointed a five-experts’ panel, which has studied the socio-economic background of at least 45,000 families. “The agencies have studied the social, educational and economical status of these families. The report on the scientific analysis of this data will also be discussed in the meetings to be held this month,” the affidavit reads.

“The commission has also received information from the government, relating to employment status of the community. It has also received information from the universities and also from the department of medical education and higher and technical education of the government,” the affidavit states. The government has further said the commission, through this data, will determine if the Marathas have adequate representation in public employment, as well as their educational status. Taking the affidavit on record, the bench has adjourned the matter by four weeks for further hearing.

This comes after the Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that the commission is presently finalising its report pertaining to the ‘status’ of Marathas in state employment and other fields