Maharashtra assembly passes bill proposing 16% quota for Marathas

TIL Desk/National/Mumbai/ The Maharashtra assembly unanimously passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation for Marathas under socially and educationally backward category. 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 for admission in educational institutions and posts in public services to Marathas who have been declared as socially and educationally backward class of citizens. Marathas have been declared as socially and educationally backward class of citizens 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 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.