Other Backward Classes (OBC) organisations on Saturday opposed the government resolution (GR) related to Kunbi certificates for the Maratha community during a meeting convened by Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, calling for its withdrawal, reported news agency PTI.
The meeting was held at Sahayadri Guest House in Mumbai.
The OBC outfits said the GR, issued on September 2 following a five-day stir by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange at Azad Maidan, was detrimental to their community’s interests. They also demanded a `white paper` detailing all caste certificates and caste validity certificates issued in the state since 2014.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who attended the meeting, said the state-wide OBC march scheduled for October 10 would proceed as planned, despite some sections of the ruling dispensation wanting it postponed, reported PTI.
“The government has not given any positive response to two major demands — the withdrawal of the Government Resolution issued on September 2 and publication of a white paper on the issuance of caste certificates since 2014. The united OBC community protest march will take place on October 10,” he said.
CM Fadnavis assured the attendees that the state government is committed to delivering justice to every community within the legal framework and that no group, including OBCs, would face injustice, PTI reported.
“The state government has followed legal procedures in issuing caste certificates. A verification system and a lineage committee have been set up to ensure certificates are issued only on valid documents, dispelling fears that certificates would be given solely on the basis of marriage or affidavits,” Fadnavis said at the meeting.
He added that Rs 1,500 crore has been disbursed to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research & Training Institute (MahaJyoti) this month, 63 hostels have been established for OBCs, and all schemes of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation will be extended to other backward sections.
“An independent OBC Cabinet Sub-Committee has been constituted with powers to oversee all state schemes. Multiple corporations have been set up for sub-castes under the OBC category, with capital allocated to these corporations,” he said.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde stated that quotas for one community will not infringe upon the rights of others.
“All decisions would be taken within the ambit of law. Providing false documents would attract legal action,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar added that the government aims to ensure no community faces injustice. He noted that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes remain socially disadvantaged, and the state and Union governments implement schemes for their progress while ensuring equal opportunities for other communities.
The meeting was also attended by ministers Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaja Munde, Atul Save, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, and senior officials of the Social Justice and Backward Welfare Departments, among others.
(With PTI inputs)
