<div><p>In a development that will have nationwide impact, the Maharashtra government on Sunday decided to create a new category to provide reservation in jobs and education to the Maratha community. </p><p>The new category will be known as the Socially & Economically Backward Class (SEBC). Thus, Maharashtra is set to follow the pattern of Tamil Nadu, where reservation is as high as 69%.</p><p>As of now, Maharashtra has 52% reservation comprising different categories. The Supreme Court had mandated a cap of 50%.</p><p>In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Patidars and Gujjars, respectively, are demanding reservation.</p><p>The decision to create the separate category of SEBC was taken on the basis of the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) at a Cabinet meeting on the eve of the winter session of Maharashtra legislature.</p><p>"We have decided to create a separate category to give reservation to the Maratha community," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told a news conference at the Sahyadri guest house at Malabar Hill here.</p><p>"We received the report with three recommendations. Independent reservation will be given to Maratha community under SEBC. We have constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to take statutory steps for implementing the recommendations," he said.</p><p>Last week, the MSBCC submitted its report to the Maharashtra government.<br />The politically-dominant Maratha community that comprises nearly 33% of Maharashtra's 11.25 crore population has been demanding reservations peacefully since the last few years. The agitation had turned violent in July-August.</p><p>The previous Congress-NCP Democratic Front government had provided for 16% reservation for Marathas in 2014, but it was stayed by the Bombay High Court. When the BJP-Shiv Sena government came to power four years ago, addressing this issue was a major challenge. </p><p>In the next few days, the government is expected to bring in a bill on SEBC and Mahatha reservation.</p><p>Of Maharashtra's total 52% reservation, 13% and 7% is reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, respectively; 19% is reserved for Other Backward Classes. The rest 13% is reserved for Nomadic Tribes, Denotified Tribes and Special Backward Classes. Disturbing the 19% OBC reservation — by bringing in Marathas under OBC — would not have been a politically wise decision. </p><p>Sunday's decision of Maratha reservation comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</p></div>
<div><p>In a development that will have nationwide impact, the Maharashtra government on Sunday decided to create a new category to provide reservation in jobs and education to the Maratha community. </p><p>The new category will be known as the Socially & Economically Backward Class (SEBC). Thus, Maharashtra is set to follow the pattern of Tamil Nadu, where reservation is as high as 69%.</p><p>As of now, Maharashtra has 52% reservation comprising different categories. The Supreme Court had mandated a cap of 50%.</p><p>In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Patidars and Gujjars, respectively, are demanding reservation.</p><p>The decision to create the separate category of SEBC was taken on the basis of the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) at a Cabinet meeting on the eve of the winter session of Maharashtra legislature.</p><p>"We have decided to create a separate category to give reservation to the Maratha community," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told a news conference at the Sahyadri guest house at Malabar Hill here.</p><p>"We received the report with three recommendations. Independent reservation will be given to Maratha community under SEBC. We have constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to take statutory steps for implementing the recommendations," he said.</p><p>Last week, the MSBCC submitted its report to the Maharashtra government.<br />The politically-dominant Maratha community that comprises nearly 33% of Maharashtra's 11.25 crore population has been demanding reservations peacefully since the last few years. The agitation had turned violent in July-August.</p><p>The previous Congress-NCP Democratic Front government had provided for 16% reservation for Marathas in 2014, but it was stayed by the Bombay High Court. When the BJP-Shiv Sena government came to power four years ago, addressing this issue was a major challenge. </p><p>In the next few days, the government is expected to bring in a bill on SEBC and Mahatha reservation.</p><p>Of Maharashtra's total 52% reservation, 13% and 7% is reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, respectively; 19% is reserved for Other Backward Classes. The rest 13% is reserved for Nomadic Tribes, Denotified Tribes and Special Backward Classes. Disturbing the 19% OBC reservation — by bringing in Marathas under OBC — would not have been a politically wise decision. </p><p>Sunday's decision of Maratha reservation comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</p></div>
