Amid quota setback in SC, MVA govt extends benefit of EWS reservation to Maratha community

On Tuesday, Maharashtra government anunced a slew of measures to ameliorate concerns of students and youth belonging to Maratha community. This comes in wake of apex court's verdict dated September 9 staying Maratha reservation in public employment and educational institutions. Addressing media, PWD Minister Ashok Chavan stated that state Cabinet had decided to extend benefit of Ecomically Weaker Sections reservation (10% quota in government jobs and educational institutions) to Maratha community.

Moreover, students falling within ambit of EWS category can avail of schemes such as Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Educational Fees Scholarship Scheme and Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Vastigruh Nirvah Bhatta Yojna. Chavan added that MVA government will provide Rs.230 crore to  Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI). state Cabinet also sought to mollify Maratha Kranti Morcha protesters. 

Maharashtra PWD Minister Ashok Chavan remarked, " benefit of  EWS reservation will be extended to SEBC category. Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Educational Fees Scholarship Scheme which was earlier implemented for SEBC students will w be extended to students falling in EWS category. state government has sanctioned Rs.600 crore for this scheme in current financial year. More funds will be provided if required. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Vastigruh Nirvah Bhatta Yojna,  which was earlier implemented for SEBC students will w be extended to students falling in EWS category. Rs.80 crore has been sanctioned for this purpose."

" state government has decided to give a job to heir of persons who lost ir lives in Maratha Kranti Morcha in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. Currently, process of withdrawing cases registered against Maratha Kranti Morcha protesters is underway. Only 26 cases are pending, which shall be withdrawn within one month. This does t include cases of serious offences," he added. 

Read: Maratha Quota: Protests In Solapur Against SC Stay

Read: Mumbai's Dabbawalas & Kranti Morcha Protest In Thane Demanding Maratha Reservation

Maratha reservation

In  SEBC Act which came into force on vember 30, 2018, Maratha community has been declared as a 'Socially and Educational Backward Class'. Bombay HC judgment reduced quantum of Maratha reservation to 12% in educational institutions and 13% in public employment. However, Supreme Court prima facie held that Maharashtra government has t shown any "extraordinary situation" for relaxing 50% reservation ceiling in case of Maratha quota. On Monday, Uddhav Thackeray-led government filed a petition in SC seeking vacation of its stay order. 

Read: Sharad Pawar Hints At Ordinance Route To Override SC's Stay On Maratha Reservation