CM Shinde directs state admin to prioritise Maratha survey work

Shinde was speaking at the cabinet sub-committee meeting on Maratha reservation.

Eknath Shinde, Maratha community survey work, Maratha quota law, maratha quota, backward class commission, Maratha community backwardness, Maratha reservation, indian express news

The cabinet sub-committee also directed the administration to ensure that the data regarding Hyderabad (since Marathwada region was once under the Hyderabad Nizam rule) is also accessed at the earliest to ensure old Kunbi (OBC) details are included. (Express File Photo)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday directed the state administration to prioritise the Maratha community survey work undertaken by the state backward class commission and complete it in a timely manner. “The survey undertaken by the state backward class commission is of utmost importance to prove the backwardness of Maratha community. All district collectors and divisional commissioners should give priority to this work. This work must be completed through a special cell in a time bound manner,” said Shinde. He was speaking at the cabinet sub-committee meeting on Maratha reservation.

While speaking at the state legislative assembly, Shinde had said that the commission was tasked with preparing a report to prove the social and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.

He had said that based on that report a special session of the state legislature will be held in February 2024 to give reservation to the Maratha community.

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A curative petition regarding the same is presently pending in the Supreme Court and the survey data can also be used for the same.

Shinde asked the district collectors and divisional commissioners to ensure that the questionnaire sent to them is filled accurately. “The Supreme Court had raised several objections to the previous report and therefore it is important that the report we give now will be accurate,” he said.

State backward class commission chairperson Adv (retired) Sunil Shukre recently held a meeting of all district collectors and a questionnaire prepared by Pune’s Gokhale institute was submitted to them. The state government has made Rs 367 crore available to the commission.

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Later, Shinde also held an online meeting with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil who has threatened to launch fast unto death from January 20 in Mumbai demanding Kunbi (OBC) status to Marathas in the state.

While Shinde assured Jarange-Patil that the government is expediting the process, the activist reiterated his demand of extending Kunbi status to Marathas and also demanded that the cases against Maratha protesters should be withdrawn.

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