Maratha quota: State to get final report by November 15

Mumbai: The Bombay high court was informed that the backward caste commission will submit its final report on the socio-economic status of the Maratha community by November 15. The commission would submit its recommendations on whether the community should be granted reservation in state-aided educational institutions and workplaces. On Tuesday, the commission filed its interim report in court and said that till date, it had surveyed 45,000 families throughout the state.

The PIL also sought directions to the commission to expeditiously submit its recommendations to the state on the entitlement of such quota. The politically influential Marathas, who constitute around 30 per cent of the state's population, have been demanding 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and education. In July, the community had launched an agitation that had witnessed violence at several places in the state. Around eight people have committed suicide in the last two months, linking their extreme decision to the Maratha quota demand.  

State counsel, Ravi Kadam, on Tuesday informed the court that the commission had studied the data provided by various government departments, village panchayats and educational, social and legal bodies.