Maharashtra Govt Accepts Report On Providing Maratha Quota, To Hand Out Kunbi Caste Certificates Soon

The Maharashtra government accepted the first report of a committee chaired by retired high court judge Sandeep Shinde regarding the demand of the Maratha community for Kunbi caste certificates

File Photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Source : PTI

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced that it will begin action on the long-standing demand of the Maratha community for Kunbi caste certificates, which make them eligible for reservation in the OBC category. The government accepted the first report of a committee chaired by retired high court judge Sandeep Shinde, news agency PTI reported. The committee was established to determine the procedure for granting Kunbi caste certificates specifically to Marathas in the Marathwada region.

In an official statement, it was announced that the process of issuing Kunbi certificates has commenced, marking a crucial development in the ongoing demand for Maratha community rights. This decision comes amid a protest led by activist Manoj Jarange, who had undertaken an indefinite fast in pursuit of quota rights for the Maratha community. Several incidents of violence had also erupted in various parts of the state in relation to this demand.

During a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the government also decided that the OBC Commission would gather fresh empirical data to evaluate the educational and social backwardness of the Maratha community, PTI reported. This data collection is expected to further inform the reservation policies and provisions for the community.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office mentioned, "The first report of the Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde committee has been submitted. The process of granting Kunbi certificates to Marathas has started."

In addition to these decisions, the cabinet resolved to establish a three-member panel. This panel will be led by retired judge Dilip Bhosale and includes retired judges Shinde and Maroti Gaikwad. Their primary role will be to provide legal advice and guidance to the government regarding the legal aspects surrounding the Maratha quota demand.

Last month, a five-member panel headed by Justice Shinde had been appointed to determine the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas who, or whose ancestors, were referred to as Kunbis in Nizam-era documents. This process was specifically designed for Marathas in the Marathwada region, which was a part of the Hyderabad state until 1948.

The panel's mandate has been extended until December 24.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Shinde engaged in a phone conversation with activist Manoj Jarange, providing assurance that a concrete decision regarding Kunbi certificates for the Maratha community would be reached during the cabinet meeting. Jarange's protest has centered on the demand for Kunbi certificates to be granted to Marathas throughout the state.

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