"Will make permanent decision on reservation to Maratha community": Devendra Fadnavis

Nagpur: Assuring Marathas who have recently held agitations pressing their demands for reservation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the state government led by Eknath Shinde will make a 'permanent decision' regarding the issue.

Speaking to the reporters here, a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reiterated his commitment to providing reservations to the community following several protests and agitations, Fadnavis said that the state government will work to resolve this serious problem.

"...This is a serious issue...Everyone knows that earlier, our government had given reservations...It was sustained in the Supreme Court...Until our government was there, it was not suspended...Yesterday, CM Eknath Shinde made a commitment that the government would give reservations to the Maratha community. The state government will work to resolve this serious issue," Maharashtra Deputy CM said.
He further said that there would be criticism if any decision was made in a hurry and did not hold up in court in the future.
"Decisions on issues involving the Constitution, judiciary, etc. will have to be taken thoughtfully. If the hasty decision taken today does not hold up in court tomorrow, there will be criticism, so we will take a permanent decision," he added.

The Marathas account for over 30 per cent of the state's total population. The inclusion of the Maratha community in the OBC category for the purpose of reservations would have several implications.

Earlier on Sunday, Eknath Shinde said that his government stands with the Maratha community and is committed to providing reservations to the Maratha community, adding that giving reservations is the government's responsibility.
"It is the government's responsibility to give reservations to the Maratha community, and we are working towards it. With the Supreme Court admitting the state government's curative petition on the Maratha reservation, a big window for reservation has opened for the Maratha community," he added.

He also said that the state government had appointed a committee to issue Kunbi certificates to Maratha community members in Marathwada for those who have old records.

"I am giving my word. I won't lie and mislead the Maratha community. I won't make any false promises. "It is the duty of our government to give reservations to the Maratha community," he said.

The state government formed the Shinde committee in September to decide the methodology for issuing Kunbi certificates to community members. Headed by retired Justice Sandeep Shinde, it includes the additional chief secretary of the revenue department, the principal secretary of the law and judiciary department, the divisional commissioner of Aurangabad, and collectors from districts in central Maharashtra.