HC ‘no’ to Maratha quota in PG medical seats this year

Nagpur: In a major setback to Maharashtra government’s plan to implement 16% Maratha reservation under socially and economically backward classes (SEBC) quota, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday ruled that it wouldn’t be applicable from this year.
A division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Pushpa Ganediwala also declared the provisional seat matrix published on March 27, which makes provision for SEBC candidates, as “illegal”. The bench clarified that the SEBC quota would be applicable from the next academic year.
The verdict could be termed as big win for the general category students. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), which is conducting the admissions, would now have conduct entire process for filing up the seats again.
“This (March 27) matrix shouldn’t be given effect for the limited purpose of SEBC reservation in current admission process. The respondents however, would conduct the admission process and complete it in accordance with the applicable law, rules, and orders in force, as of October 16 and November 2, as the case may be,” the judges said, while partially allowing the plea.
The judges had closed the petition for orders on Friday, after a strongly contested marathon hearing.
Petitioners — Dr Shivani Raghuwanshi and Dr Pranjali Charde — had challenged the government resolution (GR) of March 8 contending that procedure adopted by respondents for conducting postgraduate dental (MDS) and other admissions is not in accordance with the law. They prayed for quashing the GR terming it as unconstitutional. The GR ensured 16% seats for SEBC quota for students in government and private medical colleges in the state.
In last hearing, the judges allowed the DMER to continue the admissions process, which was stayed earlier after petitioners moved HC, but subject to a final decision.