Following the Supreme Court’s stay order on the reservation given to the Maratha community in government jobs and educational institutions, the Maharashtra government has now decided to offer the Community reservation under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota.
The state cabinet has taken a decision to offer 10 per cent reservation meant for the EWS to the Maratha community so that their quota in jobs and educational institutions remains protected.
The quota for EWS is meant to benefit those whose yearly family income is less than eight lakh rupees.
Early this month, the reservation given to Marathas in jobs and educational institutions was stayed, and the case was transferred to a five-judge constitutional bench. Following the stay, there were protests by the Community, which has been enjoying a 12 per cent and 13 per cent reservation in jobs and education, under the the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act 2018.
Now, with the new decision by the state government, the Maratha community will enjoy 10 per cent reservation under the EWS quota.
Henceforth, all the schemes meant for the Maratha youths to facilitate their appearance in competitive exams; financial assistance to start enterprises; hostel facilities for students, and so on, will be made available for all those under the EWS category
A budget of Rs 600 crore was set aside for scholarships for higher education, and about Rs 130 crore was assigned for the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), for the educational, social and financial development of the community. An additional Rs 400 crore was allocated to the Annasaheb Patil Financial Backward Development Corporation to fund enterprising youths from the Maratha community. All these schemes will now be extended to the EWS category. The Government has also assured that additional provisions for these schemes will be made if required.
