To pacify the agitating members of the Maratha community, after the Supreme Court’s stay on the reservation, the State Cabinet on Tuesday extended benefits to the community under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota.
Till now the Maratha community was not eligible for benefits under the EWS quota as they were categorised as the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) and were provided 16% reservation under that category. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ordered a stay on this while referring the matter to a larger Bench to decide on the constitutional validity of the reservation. The State government has filed a petition in the apex court seeking vacation on the stay.
“The stay on reservation has affected recruitment as well as admission process across the State. Therefore, it was decided to extend the benefits to the Maratha community under the EWS category…