The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to extend the tenure of the Justice (Retired) Sandeep Shinde Committee on Maratha quota until June 30, 2027, according to an official release. The decision came days after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange ended his latest hunger strike following talks with the government. The extension was approved at a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, chaired by senior minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
Background of the Committee
The government established the Shinde Committee in September 2023 to formulate a standard operating procedure for scrutinizing historical Kunbi records and issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community. The committee's work is crucial for addressing the long-standing demand for Maratha reservation under the OBC category.
New Measures Announced
At Wednesday's meeting, the cabinet sub-committee also decided to establish dedicated Maratha reservation cells and operationalize helplines at district collector offices. These facilities will assist people in tracing records and obtaining Kunbi caste certificates. A helpline number, 9326562815, has already been made operational at Mantralaya to address certificate-related grievances during office hours.
Vikhe-Patil directed all departments to work in coordination to ensure that assurances given on the Maratha reservation issue are implemented within the stipulated timeframe. He warned that officials found negligent in handling the matter would face action, as per the release.
Data Compilation and Certificate Distribution
The minister instructed authorities to immediately compile data on records traced by the Justice Shinde Committee, details of around 13 lakh certificates issued after the committee's formation, and information on Kunbi certificates distributed before the panel was constituted. District collectors have been asked to organize home visits and special camps over the next three months to facilitate certificate distribution in accordance with guidelines prepared by the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisional administration.
Vikhe-Patil also directed divisional commissioners to review the issuance of caste validity certificates every 15 days and expedite financial assistance to the families of persons who died during the Maratha reservation agitation. The sub-committee further instructed district administrations to make local helplines functional within eight days to address difficulties faced by applicants seeking Kunbi certificates.
Activist's Response
Jarange ended his latest fast for Maratha reservation last week. The government had agreed to provide certificates based on the 58 lakh Kunbi records that have already been identified, he said. The activist has been demanding issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community so that they can avail the OBC quota.
