Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government on February 20 approved a bill, extending reservation to Marathas above the 50 per cent mark in a special session of the state legislature.
The bill for 10 per cent Maratha quota that the Mahayuti government of Eknath Shinde has approved is similar to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2018, introduced by the then Devendra Fadnavis government.
This is the third time in a decade that the state has introduced legislation for the Maratha quota. The decision to convene a special session was prompted by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who is on a hunger strike at Antarwali Saarati village in Jalna district.
The reservation has been extended based on a report submitted to the state government by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) headed by chairman Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre.