Government finds itself trapped on quota issue

Minister for Social Justice Shivajirao Moghe said,“Government will take a decision on Maratha quota in jobs and education on merit.”

Sources said,“The Rane committee is exploring various legal options to ensure the decision taken by the government is not struck down by courts for lack of merit.”

The government is not committing as OBCs have threatened to take to streets if their 27 per cent reservation is tampered with to accommodate Marathas. There is also the fear of similar demands from other communities.

The tribal Gond community has already held a massive demonstration at Azad Maidan to highlight its problems. A government resolution mandating submission of fresh caste certificates by Koshti-Halba pensioners in Vidarbha has caused massive unrest.

Union heavy industries minister Praful Patel has got the date for submission of applications extended to September-end but organisations in Vidarbha want the government to ensure caste certificates do not become a tool to deny rights of pensioners.

State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis said,“How can the government stop pensions of employees who got jobs based on caste certificates?”

Congress,NCP,BJP and Shiv Sena leaders fear the government resolution to curb misuse of caste certificates may backfire in the absence of a monitoring authority.

Patel said,“While it is true the directives for caste validity are an outcome of court orders,the government needs to find a way to ensure deserving candidates don’t lose employment or pension rights in the absence of caste certificates.”

According to Supreme Court directives,reservation cannot exceed 50 per cent. Maharashtra has already crossed 52 per cent.

However,Marathas,who constitute 30 per cent of the population,cannot be ignored,especially since there are elections next year.