Ashok Chavan demands relaxation of the 50% quota limit

Maharashtra Minister and Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan in a statement stated that only re-establishing the state's right to announce the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) is not enough to make the way easier for Maratha reservation, further he stated that the Centre should ease up the 50 percent ceiling on reservations. 

 

Responding to the reports that claim that the Union Cabinet has cleared a bill to make a Constitutional amendment to lend the SEBC powers to states and Union Territories. The Maharashtra Minister and Senior Congress leader who also heads the Maharashtra cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha quota stated that the Supreme Court had not accepted the Centre's appeal to review the majority verdict holding that the 102nd constitution amendment took away the states' powers to declare SEBC for grant of quota in jobs and admissions.

 

"When the High Court rejected the SEBC quota, they observed that the states lack the power to declare SEBC after the 102nd amendment and that the Maratha quota cannot exceed the 50 percent ceiling (on reservations). Both these obstacles need to be removed for ensuring Maratha reservation,” stated Ashok Chavan. 

 

He further questioned the central government’s reason for the Maratha reservation and stated that “At the time of the Supreme Court hearing on Maratha reservation, there were many states including the state of Maharashtra who agreed to ease up the limits. But, the Central Government as of now has not taken any clear stand on it. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 8, 2021, and urged him to relax the reservation limit.