News Analysis India

Tag: Maratha

  • Ajit Pawar bats for Bihar-like caste census, says govt positive about demands of Marathas, Dhangars

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday batted for a “caste census” on the lines of the one conducted in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government and said such a move will help find the exact population of all communities so that proportionate benefits can be given accordingly.

    Addressing a public meeting in Madha in Solapur, Pawar also said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha community.

    “I am of the opinion let there be a caste-based census here.The Bihar government carried it out in that state. With such an exercise, we will come to know the exact population of OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, general category etc as benefits are given as per proportion of population,” he said.

    Informing that he, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had sought details of the caste survey in Bihar, Pawar said the exercise must be carried out in Maharashtra even if it costs “some thousand crores” as it will bring a “clear picture before the public”.

    Pawar said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha and Dhangar communities, but with the emphasis that such a move must not affect the 62 per cent reservation in place (52 per cent for SCs, STs and OBCs, as well as 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Sections).

    “If reservation is given to Marathas and other communities from the existing 52 per cent, then those groups receiving benefits in this segment will be disappointed. Our efforts are to ensure quota provided above the 62 per cent at present is legally sustainable in the High Court and Supreme Court,” he said.

    Pawar said quota activist Manoj Jarange has sought Kunbi certificates for Marathas so that the latter can get benefits under the Other Backward Classes category, whereas groups from the OBC category are submitting memorandums that no other community must be included in their segment.

    He said the state government was working on the demand for providing Kunbi certificates by holding discussions with experts and noted lawyers, since any move that does not stand the test of law will make people claim the ruling dispensation cheated them.

    “The Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category, while tribals are resisting it,” said the Nationalist Congress Party leader, who joined the Shinde government on July 2 this year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday batted for a “caste census” on the lines of the one conducted in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government and said such a move will help find the exact population of all communities so that proportionate benefits can be given accordingly.

    Addressing a public meeting in Madha in Solapur, Pawar also said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha community.

    “I am of the opinion let there be a caste-based census here.The Bihar government carried it out in that state. With such an exercise, we will come to know the exact population of OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, general category etc as benefits are given as per proportion of population,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Informing that he, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had sought details of the caste survey in Bihar, Pawar said the exercise must be carried out in Maharashtra even if it costs “some thousand crores” as it will bring a “clear picture before the public”.

    Pawar said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha and Dhangar communities, but with the emphasis that such a move must not affect the 62 per cent reservation in place (52 per cent for SCs, STs and OBCs, as well as 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Sections).

    “If reservation is given to Marathas and other communities from the existing 52 per cent, then those groups receiving benefits in this segment will be disappointed. Our efforts are to ensure quota provided above the 62 per cent at present is legally sustainable in the High Court and Supreme Court,” he said.

    Pawar said quota activist Manoj Jarange has sought Kunbi certificates for Marathas so that the latter can get benefits under the Other Backward Classes category, whereas groups from the OBC category are submitting memorandums that no other community must be included in their segment.

    He said the state government was working on the demand for providing Kunbi certificates by holding discussions with experts and noted lawyers, since any move that does not stand the test of law will make people claim the ruling dispensation cheated them.

    “The Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category, while tribals are resisting it,” said the Nationalist Congress Party leader, who joined the Shinde government on July 2 this year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • OBC quota won’t be affected by reservations for Marathas, assures Maharashtra CM Shinde

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with the OBC community on Friday and assured them that their quota would not be affected while giving reservations to Maratha and other communities.  

    The meeting was chaired by CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House.  

    Shinde said they had appointed a retired judge to study whether people belonging to the Kunbi community in Marathwada can be given the OBC certificate on the basis of past records and genealogy.     

    “We are not here to decrease reservations of any communities presently being availed. We want to bring back reservations to the Maratha community that earlier got cancelled due to the Supreme Court order. We are also planning to undertake various schemes for the deprived communities. We will soon have separate meetings for welfare of smaller communities. There are various boards for welfare and development of various communities like BARTI, SARATI etc, which will be strengthened by giving them adequate funds,” Shinde added.

    ALSO READ | Govt committed to giving quota to Maratha community, decision must be foolproof: Maharashtra CM Shinde  

    He said that for OBC community students, the state government has decided to start 72 hostels and relax the cap of Rs 8 lakh income for them so that they can get the benefits in government college admissions. Fadnavis said that the state government has earmarked Rs 4000 crore for the welfare and development of OBC communities. He also said that the Centre has decided to give reservations to OBC students in medical admissions in higher studies.  

    “The OBC commission will be given the constitutional status so it will continue to work for the welfare of the backward community. We will not hurt any community’s reservations,” said Fadnavis.  

    In the meeting, it was reported that cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal complained that the OBC seats in government jobs are not filled completely and demanded the review of all posts. “The seats in open are filled more than the total vacancy while OBC seats are kept vacant for years,” Bhujbal said.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with the OBC community on Friday and assured them that their quota would not be affected while giving reservations to Maratha and other communities.  

    The meeting was chaired by CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House.  

    Shinde said they had appointed a retired judge to study whether people belonging to the Kunbi community in Marathwada can be given the OBC certificate on the basis of past records and genealogy.     googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “We are not here to decrease reservations of any communities presently being availed. We want to bring back reservations to the Maratha community that earlier got cancelled due to the Supreme Court order. We are also planning to undertake various schemes for the deprived communities. We will soon have separate meetings for welfare of smaller communities. There are various boards for welfare and development of various communities like BARTI, SARATI etc, which will be strengthened by giving them adequate funds,” Shinde added.

    ALSO READ | Govt committed to giving quota to Maratha community, decision must be foolproof: Maharashtra CM Shinde  

    He said that for OBC community students, the state government has decided to start 72 hostels and relax the cap of Rs 8 lakh income for them so that they can get the benefits in government college admissions. Fadnavis said that the state government has earmarked Rs 4000 crore for the welfare and development of OBC communities. He also said that the Centre has decided to give reservations to OBC students in medical admissions in higher studies.  

    “The OBC commission will be given the constitutional status so it will continue to work for the welfare of the backward community. We will not hurt any community’s reservations,” said Fadnavis.  

    In the meeting, it was reported that cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal complained that the OBC seats in government jobs are not filled completely and demanded the review of all posts. “The seats in open are filled more than the total vacancy while OBC seats are kept vacant for years,” Bhujbal said.

  • Goa tourism department calls Marathas ‘invaders’ on Twitter, later apologises

    By PTI
    PANAJI: The Goa tourism department on Friday referred to the Maratha warriors led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as “invaders”, but deleted the tweet containing that reference soon after and also issued an apology.

    The opposition Congress slammed the BJP government in the state for “insulting” the Marathas, even as Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said an inquiry would be launched into the tweet.

    The tourism department’s official twitter handle @TourismGoa, while giving information about the Aguada Jail, which is a part of Aguada fort, referred to the Dutch and the Marathas as invaders.

    “The Aguada Jail is part of the beautiful Fort Aguada which was built in the year 1612. This fort which once defended Portuguese stronghold against the Dutch and Maratha invaders is divided into two parts- The upper and the lower fort,” the tweet said.

    Soon after tweeting it, the department deleted the the post and issued an apology.

    “In our post about Aguada fort, the word “invader” was meant to be used for the Dutch. It was intended to be read ‘stronghold against Dutch invaders and Maratha rulers’ instead of the erroneous reference. We regret the error and apologise,” the department said in another tweet.

    Ajgaonkar said this kind of error is unacceptable and he would initiate an inquiry into the incident.

    “This kind of tweet should not have happened. I will immediately inquire into the incident. This is unacceptable,” the minister said.

    Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, who shared both the tweets of the department, said, “The irresponsible @BJP4Goa Government INSULTS Maratha’s led by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by calling the Great Warriors as INVADERS. @TourismGoa clarification makes propaganda of Salazars Portuguese Regime. Is this the MODIfied History @BJP4India now writing @goacm? @INCGoa.”

    Aguada fort, located in North Goa, was built by the Portuguese in 1612.

    The Portuguese, who ruled Goa for over four centuries, had turned a part of the fort into a prison.

    The fort was built to guard and defend the Portuguese stronghold against the Dutch and the Marathas.

  • Minister Athavale raised the issue for Kshatriya community in Rajya Sabha, said – reservation should be given

    In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has raised his voice for the Kshatriya community. Minister Athawale said, ‘Marathas, Jats, Rajputs and Thakurs want reservation in Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP respectively. For example, the economically weaker section was given 10 percent reservation. Similarly, they should also be given reservation. The Kshatriya community has a large population. ‘

  • Maratha quota: Maha sets up ‘war room’ to fill vacant posts

    The Maharashtra government has set up a ‘war room’ at the state secretariat complex here to complete the mega recruitment process as per the new caste reservation quota.

    An official said the government may complete the process of recruitment for all the 72,000 posts at one go before February, instead of filling 36,000 posts spread over two years.

    A bill that grants 16 per cent reservation to the members of the Maratha community in government jobs and education in Maharashtra was unanimously passed by both the Houses of the state legislature last week, meeting a long-pending demand of the influential community, which constitutes 33 per cent of the state’s population of around 13 crore.

    “The idea is to fill the posts before the Bombay High Court stays the decision. It will help the ruling party get Maratha votes in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls scheduled in 2019,” the government official said.

    In the last budget session of the state legislature, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that 72,000 vacant posts will be filled in two phases.

    The vacant posts to be filled are spread across departments like Agriculture, Public Health, Home, Animal Husbandry, Public Works Department, Water Resources, Water Conservation, Fisheries and Urban Development departments.

    On Wednesday, the government set up a war room on the seventh floor of the state secretariat to handle the mega recruitment process smoothly. The first meeting of all the departments concerned was held there.

    The senior official who attended the meeting said the government was keen on finishing the process of recruitment as soon as possible.

    “However, it would depend on the Information and Technology (IT) department, which will play a key role in the process,” he said.

    “The process of filling up of all 72,000 posts will be started now. It is scheduled to be completed before the Lok Sabha code of conduct comes into effect and before a possible stay by the high court,” he added.

    The state may issue an order delegating the powers to fill few posts at the ground level by the district collector or tehsil to save time, he added.

    Meanwhile, the state general administration department (GAD) Wednesday issued a government resolution stating that Marathas would be able to get 16 per cent reservation in the remaining 48 per cent posts in the open category and no share of 16 per cent in 100 per cent vacant posts.

    “This means that Marathas would get only 8 per cent reservation of the existing 52 per cent reservation,” the official said.