Maharashtra Backward Class Commission submits Maratha survey report to Shinde; special session on Feb. 20 to address demands

Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission submits comprehensive survey report on Maratha community for reservation law formulation.

The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission on Friday submitted a comprehensive survey report, covering nearly 2.5 crore families, outlining the social, economic, and educational backwardness of the Maratha community.

The report presented to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis by the chairperson of the commission, Justice (retd.) Sunil Shukre, would be discussed in the upcoming State cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.

This data-backed report will aid in the formulation of a law to ensure reservations for the Maratha community, with a special Assembly session announced on February 20 for discussions on their demands.

Acknowledging the effort of the panel, the Chief Minister expressed confidence in the data-driven approach to address the community’s concerns without affecting existing reservations for other groups. He said that the government is committed to providing reservation to the Marathas.

The survey, initiated on January 23 and executed with the assistance of 3.5 to 4 lakh State government personnel, involved comprehensive data gathering facilitated by modern technology aimed to assess the socio-economic landscape, educational disparities, and employment conditions within the Maratha community.

Mr. Shinde also acknowledged the cooperation received from citizens who provided essential information during the door-to-door survey. The engagement of several government officials, including district authorities and municipal commissioners, was crucial in ensuring the success of this swift and comprehensive survey, he said.

Further, he recognised the challenges faced by the community and assured that the government is optimistic about fulfilling the Maratha reservation aspirations.