Now, Maharashtra govt to take legal opinion on Maratha quota report

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, November 20

The Maharashtra Government said on Tuesday that it was seeking legal opinion on the State Backward Class Commission's report that recommended reservations in educational institutions and government jobs for Marathas.

Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil told the state assembly amidst noisy scenes that the state cabinet has accepted the Commission's recommendations on reservations for Marathas under a special category called 'Socially and Economically Backward Class'.

"We will table the report in the house after seeking legal opinion on whether the recommendations will stand scrutiny when challenged in court," Patil said.

The minister pointed out that the total number of seats in educational institutions and government jobs under reservation would exceed the 50 per cent limit imposed by the Supreme Court after the introduction of the new quota. The government was seeking legal opinion to ensure that the quotas introduced by it were not struck down, Patil added.

The minister's assurance however did not go do down well with the opposition Congress and NCP, which created a ruckus demanding that the report on Maratha reservations be tabled in the House immediately.

With a section of the opposition also taking up the prevailing drought situation in Maharashtra, the House was adjourned four times.

Leaders of the opposition parties like Ajit Pawar of the NCP and
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of the Congress felt that an all-party meeting should discuss the report and find ways to ensure
that the quotas stand legal scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is demanding that reservations be introduced for various groups like the Dhangars, Lingayats and Muslims, in addition to the Marathas.