New Delhi: The Maharashtra legislative assembly made a significant move on Tuesday by unanimously passing a bill aimed at providing 10% reservation for the Maratha community in both education and government job sectors. The bill was welcomed by many leaders. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe, and other prominent figures from the ruling side, have expressed their elation, post bill has been passed.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde hailed the passage as a day of happiness for the Maratha community and added, "For quite a few years this was their demand and this government has taken a decision of 10% reservation to the Maratha community...The data has been collected extensively. This reservation will also last in court. A detailed survey has been done keeping in view the feedback of the Supreme Court...Injustice has not been done to the OBC & other communities. It has been passed unanimously. I thank the opposition & both my Deputy CMs..."
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis referred to concerns regarding the OBC quota saying, "Today, under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde our government had given a proposal of 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in both the Houses. The bill was passed unanimously in both Houses...OBC reservation has not been touched. This has been given separately..."
Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the Maratha Reservation Bill, saying, "After studying the bill the government table this bill and it was passed and it will stay in court too. I'm happy and we appreciate the government. I congratulate the Maratha people and many people gave their sacrifice for this Maratha reservation. We saw a lathi charge in Antarwali village it was not needed but today I will not question the government. This reservation is for education & Job", as quoted by ANI.
Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai also voiced his opinion, remarking, "This will give 100% reservation for education & Jobs. Everyone (Maratha) will get benefit from this, CM Eknath Shinde gave a promise and he fulfilled the promise. This bill has passed in Vidhansabha & Vidhanparis," as per ANI.
On the Maratha reservation bill passed in the State assembly, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, "A bill has been passed in the Vidhan Sabha keeping in view the law & regulations. CM is speaking in the Vidhan Parishad and it will be passed there as well. The bill has been passed unanimously."