The Maharashtra government on Thursday said that it would like to have reservation for the Maratha community as early as possible even as a committee headed by Industry Minister Narayan Rane is studying the issue.
"We do not want delay in bringing reservation for the Maratha community. We want the reservation to come as early as possible," Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe said in the legislative council.
He pointed out that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier stated that the weaker section of the Maratha community should get justice.
"People from the weaker section of the Maratha community should get justice. The reservation should not be only for the purpose of politics," Moghe said while replying on a debate on reservation for Maratha community moved by NCP legislator Vinayak Mete.
He said that the report received from the Backward Classes Commission would also be studied.
"A cabinet sub-committee chaired by Industries Minister Narayan Rane has been formed to look into the issue," the minister said.
Incidentally, there is a strong opposition to the Maratha demand, especially from OBC communities, who feel they will be edged out of politics and education if the Maratha community is granted reservation.
The 22nd report of the State Backward Classes Commission had also rejected the Maratha demand in 2008.
Image: Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe
