Devendra Fadnavis says jobs for OBCs won't go to other categories, Maharashtra govt to assess representation

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that jobs meant for the OBCs would in no way go to the candidates belonging to other categories. Fadnavis’ assurance came against the backdrop of reports that the Other Backward Classes are opposing likely inclusion of the Marathas in the OBC category for quota benefits. [caption id=“attachment_4912571” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Devendra Fadnavis. PTI[/caption] The OBC community had reportedly demanded that the OBC quota be raised from the current 19 percent, considering that they make up 52 percent of the state’s population. Fadnavis also announced that his government would assess the extent of representation given to the OBCs in jobs till date and take steps to address the backlog, if any, in a time-bound manner. He made these remarks at the third national convention of the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh held in Mumbai. “In no way, the seats meant for the OBCs would be given to any other individual (from non-OBC category). The seats meant for the OBCs will go to OBCs only,” Fadnavis said. In Maharashtra, the OBCs enjoy 17 percent quota at present. Fadnavis suggested that there was no exact information available regarding the actual representation of the OBCs in jobs till date, and said the state government would come out with relevant details. “If the representation is below the percentage of quota allotted, then the backlog would be cleared in a time-bound manner,” the chief minister said. The politically-influential Maratha community, constituting around 30 percent of Maharashtra’s population, has been agitating to press their demand for reservation in jobs and education under the OBC category. At present, the quota for various castes and communities in Maharashtra is capped at 52 percent, with Scheduled Castes (13%), Scheduled Tribes (7%), OBCs (19%); Nomadic, Denotified Tribes and Special Backward Category together at 13%. The OBCs had reportedly sought a comprehensive socio-economic and caste census in Maharashtra to determine the population of each community. Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan appealed to Fadnavis to take yearly follow-up on implementation of the announcements made by him. “I would also request the organisers of the (OBC) convention to review whether the announcements made from this platform are implemented or not…the government should accept the demands made by the communities and not ignore them,” Chavan demanded. The former chief minister said various governments in the past had announced awarding reservations in the past (to different communities) but wondered about the actual implementation of the promises. Chavan said many people have been expressing concerns that the current situation may lead to a conflict among various communities, and pitched for communal harmony.