Maharashtra Assembly passes bill proposing 16 percent quota for Marathas

The bill proposes 16 per cent reservation for Marathas under socially and educationally backward category in educational institutions and public services.

Image: File Photo PTI/ Women of Maratha community stage a protest rally during their Maharashtra bandh, called over their demands for reservation, in Mumbai.

Mumbai: Maratha reservation bill proposing 16 per cent reservation for Marathas under socially and educationally backward category was passed unanimously in Maharashtra legislative assembly on Thursday. The bill has now gone to the upper house of the assembly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who tabled the bill, thanked Opposition members for helping in passage of the bill unanimously. The bill provides for reservation of seats to the Marathas for admission in educational institution and government jobs. An action taken report was tabled earlier on the State Backward Class Commission’s (SBCC) recommendations for giving reservation to the Maratha community. Recommendations of the SBCC's report on social, educational and financial status of the Maratha community, were also tabled. Marathas have been declared as socially and educationally backward class of citizens (SEBC) and have inadequate representation in services under the state, the panel report said. They are entitled to reservation benefits and advantages enshrined in the Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, it said. The panel had suggested that looking at exceptional circumstances and extra-ordinary situations generated on declaring Marathas as socially and educationally backward and their consequential entitlement to reservation benefits, the government may take appropriate decision within constitutional provision to address the emerging scenario in the state. The Bill to provide for reservation of seats for admission in educational institutions and posts in public services in the state was tabled thereafter. The Maratha community, which comprises over 30 per cent of the state's population, has been seeking reservation in government jobs and education for a long time. Their stir for the same in July and August this year had taken a violent turn.