Quota for Marathas approved-Socially and Educationally Backward Class category created for the purpose

• The Maharashtra Cabinet cleared the decision to extend reservation to the Maratha community by creating a new category called Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) on the recommendations of the State Backward Class Commission.
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision at a press conference held on the eve of the winter session of the State legislature.
• The reservation quantum will be fixed by the Cabinet sub-committee assigned to chalk out the technical aspects of the law that will be presented in the next two weeks.

Panel recommendations

• The recommendations are Marathas are socially and educationally backward class of citizens with miniscule representation in the government and semi-government services; socially and educationally backward class can be extended benefits of reservation under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution and in view of such extraordinary and exceptional condition, the State government is liable to take action.

Central nod

• The opinion of the Advocate-General was taken on whether the permission of the Central government and the Centre’s various bodies was needed to bring out the legislation in the State.
• The report did not recommend including or merging Maratha reservation with that of the OBCs.

The Hindu