Maratha reservation will be as per law, reassures CM Eknath Shinde

CM Eknath Shinde. File Pic

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reassured on Friday that reservation to Maratha community will be given as per the law, after presenting the report in a cabinet meeting during the special assembly session called on February 20.

Eknath Shinde's remarks came after the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission submitted its report on the social and financial conditions of the Maratha community to the CM on Friday. The report will enable the government to introduce a law on Maratha reservation with the backing of necessary data

The CM said that during the survey, the backward class commission also took the assistance of various other organisations. The survey has been conducted on nearly 2 to 2.5 crore people, keeping in mind the Other Backward Class (OBC) community is not left behind in the process.

The survey conducted by the Magasvargiya (backward class) Committee under the guidance of Sunil Shukre is according to the terms of reference, the CM said. He also congratulated the staff involved in preparing the report in stipulated time, adding that nearly 3.5-4 lakh people, including the corporators, collectors and divisional commissioners were involved in the survey.

The report was submitted by the commission's chairman, retired justice Sunil Shukre, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The development comes after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil started another hunger strike at Antarwali Saarati village in Jalna district, demanding a special session of the state legislature be convened to discuss the issues related to the Maratha reservation. He demands to convert the draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into law.

For the fourth time in less than a year, Patil began his indefinite hunger strike. The Maratha community, under the leadership of Jarange Patil, has been seeking reservations in education and jobs under the OBC category.

CM Shinde on Friday also urged activist Jarange to end his indefinite hunger strike and said the state government is positive about giving Maratha reservation.

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced that a special session of the state legislature would be held on February 20 to discuss reservation and other demands of the Maratha community.