MUMBAI: Amid growing tensions between the OBC and Maratha communities in the state, the cabinet sub-committee for OBCs has submitted its primary report, recommending an independent census of the community in the state and a Rs 5,000 crore budget provision to be made for schemes for the community in the Maharashtra budget. This is being seen as an attempt to protect the OBC quota.
The primary report was submitted by food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who heads the sub-committee, to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday. The report has recommended that the state should forward its suggestion for an independent OBC census to the Centre. "It has been decided that the state will pass a proposal in the winter session about sending this recommendation to the Centre," a minister said.
A housing scheme for OBCs, overseas education scholarships and filling the recruitment backlog in government posts are a few of the other recommendations made by the committee.
The sub-committee for the OBCs was formed in mid-October after the Supreme Court gave an interim stay on implementation of the Maratha quota in the state. Now some Maratha groups are demanding a share of the 19% OBC reservation, which may lead to a conflict between the communities.
The meeting was chaired by Thackeray and attended by deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Bhujbal and other ministers.
According to the primary report, the sub-committee recommended that Rs 100 crore to be kept aside for housing schemes for OBCs in the state, an overseas education scholarship for OBC students, Rs 200 crore be given to the state-run Vasantrao Naik Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribe development corporation and Rs 150 crore for the 'Mahajyoti' (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research and Training Institute). It has also asked that the recruitment backlog in government establishments be filled, hostel facility be set up for OBC students in various districts and a special fund should be made available for 12 trader communities (Balutedars).
VJNT minister Vijay Wadettiwar claimed the demand for an independent census had nothing to do with the Maratha reservation issue.