Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the state cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha reservation issue, on Tuesday firmly stated that the government`s decisions on the matter are already under implementation and there is no question of a rollback.
Addressing reporters after a key sub-committee meeting, Vikhe Patil responded to concerns raised by OBC leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal, assuring that any “misunderstandings” surrounding the issue would be resolved through direct dialogue, according to the news agency PTI.
The concerns from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community arose after the state’s social justice and special assistance department issued a government resolution (GR) permitting the use of the Hyderabad Gazetteer. This move allows eligible Marathas to obtain Kunbi caste certificates, effectively making them eligible for OBC reservation benefits.
The GR was released following successful negotiations between the sub-committee and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who agreed to withdraw his hunger strike in Mumbai on September 2.
“The committee has kept its doors open for discussion with all communities. Our goal is to preserve social harmony across the state,” Vikhe Patil said. “We are working under the guidance of the Chief Minister,” reported news agency PTI.
During the meeting, the implementation process of issuing Kunbi certificates based on the Hyderabad and Satara gazetteers was reviewed. Inputs were taken from divisional commissioners and district collectors regarding the scrutiny and verification of applications.
The meeting was attended by ministers Chandrakant Patil, Girish Mahajan, Ashish Shelar, Manikrao Kokate, Dada Bhuse, Shivrendra Raje Bhosale, and Makarand Patil, along with senior bureaucrats.
Vikhe Patil also announced-
– All police cases filed against Maratha protesters will be withdrawn by the end of September, with weekly reports being submitted by district collectors and superintendents of police.
– Compensation for the families of the 96 individuals who died during the Maratha quota agitation has already been disbursed to district collectors.
– Steps are underway to provide government jobs to the kin of the deceased, including opportunities in MSRTC and MIDC.
– A report has been sought on fines levied on vehicles used during the Mumbai agitation.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Akhil Bhartiya Mahatma Phule Samta Parishad, led by Minister Bhujbal, wrote to the Chief Minister demanding the withdrawal or revision of the GR. The letter alleged that the resolution was issued “in haste under pressure from one powerful community,” without due cabinet approval or consultation with OBC stakeholders, as per the news agency PTI.
Responding to this, Vikhe Patil clarified, “There was no pressure. The decisions were made after three to four thorough meetings of the sub-committee. If there are any misunderstandings, we are open to discussions. A separate sub-committee has also been formed for the OBC community, and joint meetings can help resolve issues,” reported PTI.
When asked about Jarange Patil’s announcement of resuming the agitation from September 17, the minister said, “The sub-committee has already taken decisions, and implementation has begun. But such processes take time, and that needs to be considered.”
(With PTI inputs)
