Even though the state termed the HC verdict on Maratha quota a major victory, with the change in percentage, the government will have to tweak its policy for recruitment to the 35,000 posts, process for which has begun.
The HC on Thursday upheld the reservation for Marathas under the socially and educationally backward class (SEBC) category, but reduced the quantum from 16% to 12% in education and 13% in jobs. An official from the general administration department said the state will, however, have to make some changes in the recruitment process.
“The ruling will help us in expediting the process, but will have to go for some tweaking too,” the official said. After the court order, CM Devendra Fadnavis made a statement in the Assembly stating: “While admitting the legislative competence of the house, the court has upheld our bill and also accepted the facts related backwardness of the community established in the report by Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC). The third major decision by the court was about crossing the cap of the 50% reservation as it has approved it to be in ‘extraordinary and exceptional’ circumstances as per the Supreme Court ruling.”
Fadnavis said: “The court has turned down the demand of the petitioners to stay the reservation until the order was challenged in the apex court. This will help us in implementing the reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education...The battle is only half won, as there is a possibility of the order being challenged in the Apex court. The government will fight it tooth and nail.”