Mumbai, Sep 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Monday said 58 lakh records traced by the retired Justice Shinde Committee will be displayed in gram panchayats, and camps will be organised from September 10 to 17 to help Marathas complete documentation for caste certificates.
Vikhe Patil, who heads the state government’s Maratha reservation sub-committee, directed divisional commissioners and district collectors to ensure proper coordination and take the issues concerning reservation seriously.
The minister was reviewing the implementation of decisions taken on the Maratha reservation issue during a virtual meeting with collectors and sub-divisional officers from Dharashiv, Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Hingoli, Latur and Jalna districts of Marathwada.
He reviewed district-wise data on caste verification certificates issued, Kunbi records traced and applications received. The collectors also presented details of the action taken and implementation measures undertaken so far.
Vikhe Patil said the Parbhani district collectorate had published the records it had found, and directed other districts to take similar action and publish details on their websites.
He said that 58 lakh records traced by the retired Justice Shinde Committee will be displayed in gram panchayats, and directed the administrations to make proper arrangements for camps from September 10 to 17 to help Marathas complete the requirements for certificates.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Vikhe Patil said the state government would follow the law while issuing certificates.
“No one is above the law. Certificates will be issued only by following genealogical records and legal rules,” he said.
Around 3.5 lakh Kunbi certificates have been distributed in Marathwada, he said, adding that the rules would be strictly adhered to while issuing certificates to eligible beneficiaries.
He further said that the government would hold discussions with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who is on a hunger strike in Jalna.
The government was taking steps to provide reservation to the Maratha community without affecting the reservation of any other community, he asserted.
“If some people are deliberately using the language of agitation to oppose Maratha reservation, it is wrong and an attempt to unnecessarily create social tension,” Vikhe Patil said.
Responding to Jarange’s allegation that the government was only making assurances on Maratha reservation, the minister said that action had been taken on most of the demands raised during the previous agitation and efforts were underway to find a way forward on the remaining demands.
The government has always been ready to discuss the reservation issue with Jarange, he said, reiterating that its stand was to provide reservation to the Maratha community without affecting the quota of any other community.
The issue would be resolved within the legal framework and keeping the interests of all communities in mind, Vikhe Patil said. PTI MR ARU
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