Does the Maharashtra Government Plan to Withdraw Kunbi Certificates for Marathas?

Mumbai, Sep 9 (NationPress) The Maharashtra cabinet subcommittee focused on the Maratha quota, under the leadership of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, announced on Tuesday that the state government has initiated the process of implementing the government resolution (GR) dated September 2. This GR pertains to granting Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community, in alignment with the Hyderabad Gazetteer. Minister Patil emphasized that there is absolutely no intention of retracting the government's decision.

Following the meeting, Patil stated that if NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has any misinterpretations regarding the decision, the cabinet subcommittee is open to meeting him for clarification.

He remarked that the subcommittee is dedicated to fostering social harmony within the state.

Patil's remarks followed Minister Bhujbal's appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reconsider the September 2 order to prevent any adverse impact on the OBC reservation.

He highlighted that this is essential to avert potential unrest in Maharashtra.

Minister Vikhe Patil also rebutted Bhujbal's assertion that the GR was issued under duress.

"The subcommittee convened several meetings to reach critical decisions under the Chief Minister's leadership. There is no bias in this matter. The committee remains open for discussions with all stakeholders. Similar to the Maratha community, a subcommittee has been formed for the OBC community, and viable solutions can be achieved through dialogues with the chairs of both committees and through joint meetings," he stated.

Additionally, Patil mentioned that the initiative to withdraw cases against Maratha protesters will be put into action by the end of the month, with reviews conducted by the District Collector and District Superintendent of Police every Monday, which will then be presented to the committee.

He added that directives have been issued for timely implementation.

"A decision has been reached to provide government compensation to 96 individuals who lost their lives during the protests, and the funds have been transferred to the respective District Collector in the past two days. Measures have been initiated to fulfill the commitment to include the deceased's relatives in government employment, and it was decided in today’s meeting to draft a proposal offering positions in the State Transport Corporation and the Industrial Development Corporation. A comprehensive review has been requested concerning the suspension of punitive measures against Maratha protesters’ vehicles in Mumbai, with decisions pending verification of the vehicles’ specifics," he elaborated.

In response to pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil's announcement of a protest starting September 17, Minister Vikhe Patil asserted that all actions are being executed by the subcommittee.

"The actual implementation is underway. Nonetheless, we must be mindful of the time required for this process," he added.

The cabinet subcommittee has instructed to hasten the report on the Satara Gazette from 1818 as requested by Jarange Patil.

"The committee has mandated the Pune Divisional Commissioner to present its findings on the Satara Gazette within three days. A GR regarding the Satara Gazette will be issued based on this report, akin to the one issued concerning the Hyderabad Gazette," stated a senior minister who is part of the committee.

The committee learned that the Satara Gazette is a comprehensive document listing families associated with the Kunbi designation.

"It contains the names of families from Western Maharashtra, and it will greatly assist those tracing their roots in this region in obtaining Kunbi certificates," the minister remarked.

The state government is also ensuring a precise and official translation of the Satara Gazette, which is in Modi script.

Authorities have been instructed to ensure accurate translations of Modi, Urdu, and Farsi scripts in both the Satara and Hyderabad gazettes.

Minister Vikhe Patil announced that district collectors have been tasked with initiating training programs for government officials regarding the process for issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas.

According to the September 2 GR, a three-member committee will be established at the village level to evaluate the evidence presented to confirm family lineage and issue the Kunbi certificate.

As discussed in the meeting, the Beed district collectorate has already commenced training procedures and is currently leading in the issuance of Kunbi certificates.

“The training program is essential as people will approach the committee seeking Kunbi certificates. We have also instructed district administrations to initiate the process per the September 2 GR," Vikhe Patil concluded.