Decision to reserve 10 pc for Maratha community is historic & bold: Shinde

Mumbai, Feb 26  Maharashtra State Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a significant decision to grant Maratha community reservation without impacting Other Backward Classes (OBC) or other communities, emphasising the government's commitment to maintaining law and order.
Shinde spoke at a press conference following a tea ceremony at Sahyadri Guest House on the eve of the state's interim budget session, set to begin on Monday.
Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Deepak Kesarkar, Atul Save, Sanjay Bansode, and Anil Patil attended a ceremony involving various ministries, including School Education, Marathi Language, Housing, Sports, and Disaster Management.
The state government has initiated numerous schemes this year and a half, making significant decisions that will significantly impact the lives of farmers and women.
The government is providing 45,000 crores in assistance to farmers affected by bad weather, hailstorms, and floods, has launched a Rs 1 crop insurance scheme, and has provided a Mahila Samman Yojana discount for ST Corporation bus travel.
Shinde stated that the government is actively promoting various initiatives in the state, including infrastructure facilities, Atal Setu, and the Rs 8 lakh crore-worth Samruddhi Highway. An agreement worth Rs 3.3 thousand crore was signed at Davos.
Navi Mumbai Airport is undergoing progress, with priority given to irrigated Shiwar and farm ponds.
The government is implementing a people-oriented initiative for overall development, while the Swachhata campaign aims to reduce pollution. Shinde emphasises the importance of all areas in progress.
Shinde said, Justice Sandeep Shinde (Retd) Committee has prescribed procedures for issuing Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi, and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates to the Maratha community in the state. After conducting statutory and administrative examinations, eligible persons can obtain the caste certificate through a database of records.
In order to give reservations to the Maratha community within the framework of the law and without affecting the reservations of any other community, the Special Session Bill of the Legislature was approved on February 20, 2024, Shinde further added.
Shinde also just highlighted several other schemes implemented by the state government on this occasion.