Maharashtra Ministers Meet Activist, Agree to Kunbi Caste Certificates for Marathas

MUMBAI: A delegation of Maharashtra cabinet ministers on Saturday met Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to hand over a government resolution (GR) in connection with widening the scope of providing Kunbi caste certificate to members of Maratha committee across the state. According to GR, retired Justice Sandeep Shinde committee, which was established on September 7, has been asked to decide legal and administrative methodology for the whole  of Maharashtra. Kunbi is one of the listed OBC castes in Maharashtra.

The GR was issued following the Maratha activist’s demand to issue Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas so that they will be eligible to get reservation from the OBC quota.  This way, the government doesn't have to provide separate reservation to Marathas and exceed the 50 per cent limit on reservations. However, the existing OBC castes are against this demand.

The state government has promised Mr. Jarange-Patil that they will provide Kunbi caste certificate to Marathas who have valid documents to prove Kunbi antecedents.    

Atul Save, Minister for OBC and Bahujan Welfare and Sandipan Bhumre, Minister for Employment Guarantee scheme (EGS) met the Maratha activist at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Marathwada region, where the activist is taking treatment for his kidney problems and nausea. They handed over a copy of the GR to the Maratha activist.

Speaking with the reporters over the issue of the deadline for making a final decision on the Maratha reservation, Mr. Jarange-Patil said that the government should take additional time but they should provide reservation to all the Marathas of the state.

“It is good news for the Maratha community that the government has swung into action for Maratha reservation. The committee is expected to submit its report to the government by December 24,” he said.

Three committees, including State Backward Class Commission (SBC) and advisory committee of three retired judges, are also working to provide the reservation to the Maratha community.  However, there is a confusion over the deadline given by Mr. Jarange-Patil. While the government says that the deadline is January 2, Mr. Jarange-Patil has insisted that it is December 24.

Mr. Bhumre said that there is not much difference between December 24 and January 2 as far as the deadline is concerned. “There is a difference of five-six days. It won't matter much. Even the government is trying to resolve all issues before the deadline,” he said.

Mr.  Bhumre also said that the government is making all efforts to give reservation to members of the Maratha community to avoid any protest in future.