A special session of State Legislature is going to be convened in the month of February to fulfil the commitment made to Maratha community about granting them reservations. Making the announcement on Tuesday in Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, during a reply to debate on the issue, also informed the House that prior to that, report of State Backward Class Commission was expected in January. The report would be analysed and thereafter resolution about extending reservations to Maratha community would be tabled in both the Houses of State Legislature. The Chief Minister’s speech, lasting more than one hour, was punctuated with constant barbs at the then MVA Government for its failure to defend Maratha reservation issue in the Supreme Court. Also, he repeatedly said there should be no confusion among any section as to the commitment of the MahaYuti Government to fulfill the assurance given to Maratha community.

 

At the same time, the Chief Minister also reiterated that State would ensure that while granting reservations to Maratha community, the existing reservations of other communities remained intact and there would be no encroachment on their rights, especially the OBCs, who are riled-up over fears about carving out special category in their share of reservations. Similarly, he justified the lengthy exercise, saying that the entire process needs to withstand legal scrutiny and the key element is to establish backwardness of Maratha community in social, educational and financial sectors. The report of State Backward Commission is going to play an important role in fulfilling aspirations of Maratha community and hence its survey and investigations to establish backwardness of the dominant caste of Maharashtra is the major task ahead. In this light, The Chief Minister appealed to agitating organisations to have little patience and ensure that social fabric of State is not disturbed and mainly the law and order situation. Underscoring the systematic approach of MahaYuti Government, he said that during last two-and-a-half months, nearly 30 meetings on Maratha reservations were held. This was done to build unanimity, iron out any shortcomings and to show that this decision was not unilateral in nature. The Chief Minister said that all the parties and organisations were also taken into confidence, where 10 meetings were held under his Chairmanship, 12 meetings of the cabinet sub-committee, 2 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and 7 of the Advisory Board led by Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde and Justice (Retd) Dilip Bhosale.

 

Clarifying on the stance of issuance of Kunbi certificates to Maratha community, he said that the decision was not new but as per old GR and hence no one should oppose it. But issuing of certificates is quite a lengthy process that involves minute scrutiny of all submitted documents and hence no one in OBC community should not have any apprehensions. Since the 80’s, Maratha community has been agitating for reservations and now with MahaYuti Government close to fulfilling the same, it would be real tributes to late Annasaheb Shinde who laid down his life for the cause. The admission of curative petition in the Supreme Court is a positive sign and provides a window for State Government to effectively back-up its claim on Maratha reservation. Our team of legal experts have decoded the observation of Apex Court while rejecting earlier review petition and hence a fool proof data is being collected. In short, State Government is positive about Maratha reservation issue and Chief Minister said he is committed as per the oath taken before statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.