Maharashtra: Government constitutes sub-committee to address OBC community issues

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray led Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced to constitute a cabinet sub-committee to look into the demands of the OBC community. This comes ahead of meeting with Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders to safeguard the interests of their community. The move was also influenced due to protests by the Maratha community following the Supreme Court’s stay on Maratha reservation.

The committee member and Food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal pointed out, “there are several issues regarding OBC which are overlooked, the sub-committee is constituted to look into these earnest matters. It is created to fast-track the benefits to be given to the OBC community.  The sub-committee will make decisions on various issues to provide justice to the community”.

The sub-committee also comprises other prominent leaders such as Vijay Wadettiwar, Jitendra Awhad, Dhananjay Munde, Sanjay Rathod and Gulabrao Patil.

Currently, Maharashtra is facing backlash from various communities due to Maratha Reservation including Maratha community as well because SC has put stay on the reservation. The move was made after the state government was unable to implement the ‘Socially and Educationally Backward Classes’ (SEBC) Act. Maratha Reservation has also created a feeling of insecurity among the OBC community as they are worried that if Marathas are made part of their community, it will reduce their quota. However, the state government has been affirming them that their quota will not be disturbed, still OBC are relieved even after government assurances.

Presently, the OBC community has 27% reservation in government jobs and education. The OBC leaders have criticized the state government for favouring Maratha while the OBCs have been given step-motherly treatment.

Few OBC leaders such as Prakash Shendge are skeptic about sub-committee as well. According to him, The Maratha community is being favoured while we are saddled with sub-committees. He also asked Maharshtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to clarify whether they are serious about giving benefits to the OBC community.