National
Maha Legislature unanimously passes 10pc Maratha quotas bill, evokes mixed reactions (Round Up)
Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Marking a red-letter day for the state, the Maharashtra Legislature unanimously passed the Maratha Reservation Bill giving 10 percent quotas to the community in education and government jobs on Tuesday, has evoked mixed reactions.
The ‘Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Bill, 2024,’ was formally introduced in the assembly today at the Special Session of the Legislature this afternoon, and was cleared without opposition by the Assembly and then the Council, coinciding with the World Day of Social Justice (February 20).
Now, the Marathas will be entitled to 10 per cent reservations in educational institutions and in state government jobs, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the community.
However, Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj Jarange-Patil, currently on the 11th day of his hunger-strike, expressed serious doubts whether the quotas would withstand legal scrutiny.
Legal expert and Council for Protection of Rights President Barrister Vinod Tiwari said that “this is a clear violation of Article 14 of the Constitution on equal treatment and equality before the law.”
“How can Marathas be given selective treatment while ignoring other castes in the society? Why was a similar survey not conducted for all the castes in the state before arriving at such conclusions and giving the quotas to one community,” demanded Tiwari.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, Congress President Nana Patole, welcomed the development, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) asked “who has given the state the right to give these quotas.”
Addressing the House, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spelt out the government’s position on the quotas issue, saying he was a soldier of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, he would implement his word, and said he felt proud to introduce the reservation for the Maratha community.
“This is the victory of the movement launched by (Shivba Sanghatana leader) Manoj Jarange-Patil, and is a day of fulfilment of the aspirations of the Marathas. This has been done without doing injustice to any other community including the OBCs or disturbing their quotas,” said Shinde, himself a Maratha.
He assured that this reservation will stand legal scrutiny before the courts and everybody had worked very hard to finalise it to ensure justice to the Marathas, as the Bill was passed without any opposition with thumping of desks.
The Bill was drafted on the basis of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) report chaired by retired Justice Sunil Shukre which had found the Marathas to be socially and economically backward.
The panel report was submitted to the government on February 16, and adopted by the state cabinet this morning, along with the draft bill, which was later unanimously cleared by both houses at a one-day Special Session of the Legislature.
Among other things, the MSBCC survey revealed that Marathas constitute 28 per cent of the state’s 13-crore population, 84 per cent of the Maratha families do not fall under the ‘progressed category’, making them eligible for quotas, and of the total farmers’ suicides in Maharashtra, 94 per cent were Marathas.
Terming the developments as ‘historic and bold’, Shinde said that he had always adopted a positive attitude towards the demands of all communities, not just the Marathas, who have been struggling for over 40 years for justice.
He said that the Maratha quotas are being given after clearing all legal hurdles, and many states have gone beyond the upper ceiling of 50 per cent (mandated by the Supreme Court), and that the state government would be able to defend and safeguard it in the courts.
Shinde said that the 22 states have crossed the 50 percent quota mark, including Tamil Nadu and Bihar (69 per cent each), Haryana (67), Rajasthan (64), Gujarat 59 percent and West Bengal (55 per cent).
This was in response to apprehensions raised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi Opposition parties which wrote to the Chief Minister seeking clarifications on various points, including the tests before the law, and whether it could be detrimental to the OBCs, clarification on the ‘Kunbi Caste’ certificate notifications pertaining to the draft rules on ‘Sage-Soyare’ (family bloodline), as demanded by the striking Jarange-Patil.
In Jalna, Jarange-Patil said that his agitation would continue as the new proposal would breach the SC’s 50 percent quota cap, and it should have been given under the OBC category as a separate class.
“It doesn’t matter if the government gives 10-20 percent since outside the OBC category, any reservation can be challenged for flouting the SC limits. The best alternative would be to give quotas on the basis of the Kunbi-Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi historical records,” said the Shivba Sanghatana leader.
An irate ruling NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal urged the government to stop the ‘goonda-giri’ and blackmail perpetrated by Jarange-Patil.
(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) The presidential residence will provide a free bus service to tourists to the President’s summer retreat in Shimla.
The Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Draupadi Murmu’s two years in office on July 25.
The Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra in Himachal’s Shimla District opened its doors to the public in April 2023.
The complimentary bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates from the lift parking at Mall Road, Shimla on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ajay Bhardwaj, a guide at the presidential residence said that visitors can explore the 174-year-old Rashtrapati Niwas, nature trails and other parts of the building including its lawns and parks.
Shimla is a city that is rich in historic buildings from the British colonial era.
Constructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style, the Rashtrapati Niwas, previously known as the Retreat Building, is one of four existing presidential residences in India.
The other three are, Rashtrapati Ashiana a Presidential retreat in Dehradun, Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President, in New Delhi.
–IANS
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Srinagar, July 27 (IANS) One Pakistani terrorist and an Indian army soldier were killed on Saturday in the exchange of fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The Defence Ministry said in a statement: “Taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility along the LoC in Machhal Sector, a group of two to three armed personnel crossed the LoC and fired on a forward Army post from close proximity.”
“Alert troops responded vigorously and in the ensuing exchange of fire. One Pakistani intruder was killed,” as per the statement, adding that weapons, ammunition and war-like supplies were also recovered.
“Identification and affiliation of this Pakistani national is being ascertained. During this intense fire exchange, two of our brave soldiers also suffered some grave injuries and were immediately evacuated to Base Hospital at Srinagar,” according to the Ministry’s statement.
“Unfortunately, one of these bravehearts has succumbed to his injuries. The other brave is responding well to treatment and care and is presently stable,” it added.
Similar attempts have been made by infiltrators in the past, actively aided and abetted by Pakistan Army.
“Indian Army is firm in its resolve and commitment to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control and defeat the nefarious and inimical designs of Pakistan,” the statement said.
–IANS
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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), July 27 (IANS) In a pre-election jolt to the ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party’s Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, a senior leader from Parbhani, Abdullah Babajani Khan Durrani, MLC, crossed over to the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, here on Saturday.
Babajani, as he is commonly known, functioned as the NCP’s Parbhani district president and was welcomed to the NCP (SP) fold by Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders.
Political circles were agog with speculation over Babajani’s moves amid backdoor talks with the NCP (SP) and finally, he cleared the air on Saturday on his decision.
Sharad Pawar said that many people who joined (Ajit Pawar) felt they had gone astray and were in touch with the NCP (SP), but reiterated that “the final decision on taking them will be decided by the party leadership”.
NCP (SP) circles hinted that Babajani, an ex-MLA and two-time MLC who was always keen to contest the assembly elections, may be considered for a party ticket from Parbhani for the state polls to be held in October.
However, Babajani, who was overlooked for an MLC ticket, denied that he had made any demands from the NCP (SP) or was given any assurance by the party, and claimed that his move was purely on grounds of political ideology.
“The Muslim minority community is under stress… They are disenchanted with the parties in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Under such circumstances, it is awkward to continue with such a party (NCP) any longer, hence I am joining the NCP (SP),” declared Babajani.
Senior NCP (SP) leaders like state President Jayant Patil, national general secretary Jitendra Awhad, Rohit R. Pawar and others have stated in the recent past that around 18-20 legislators from the ruling MahaYuti ally NCP will join NCP (SP), but the NCP leaders have scoffed such suggestions.
–IANS
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Bengaluru, July 27 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said that the Cauvery Aarti will be done on the lines of Ganga Aarti at Brindavan Garden in the premises of the famous KRS Reservoir.
“We are trying to conduct Cauvery Aarti on the lines of Ganga Aarti. It is purely to promote tourism,” the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons while talking about upgrading the KRS Brindavan Garden.
He said that the cabinet has approved the plan to give a new look to the KRS Brindavan Garden.
On opposition remarks that the government is wasting money, the Deputy Chief Minister said: “Their allegations are bogus. This project was proposed during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous government. When Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister and I was the Irrigation Minister, this project was announced in the budget.”
He said that the project will be undertaken with private and public partnerships.
“The government is not making any investment. This will significantly boost tourism. Just like the Ganga Aarti, we will have a Kaveri Aarti program, which is aimed at promoting tourism,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister had said that a Cauvery Aarti programme will be held at the KRS reservoir, similar to the famous Ganga Aarti in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
When asked about the pending Greater Bangalore bill, he said that all MLAs have stated that there should be a detailed discussion on this matter.
“Due to the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution, we need to provide effective governance to Bengaluru. A meeting of MLAs from all parties has been called and a committee will be formed soon. We will accept the suggestions and opinions of the opposition parties,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
–IANS
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Bengaluru, July 27 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister said on Saturday that it is not in the fate of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Kumaraswamy, to rename Bengaluru South District and added that its headquarter would be Ramanagara city.
He said this in response to HD Kumaraswamy’s recent statement that he would rename Bengaluru South District as Ramanagara again in 2028.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Bengaluru, Dy CM Shivakumar stated, “It is not in his fate to change the name of Bengaluru South to Ramanagara again. In 2028, the Congress party will be in power in the state. I am giving my word, you keep the record of my statement.”
Shivakumar explained, “We are not touching the name of Ramanagara. The headquarters of Bengaluru South district would be Ramanagara city. This is our district. The people of Ramanagara, Channapatna, Kanakapura and Magadi are our people.”
“I was a Zilla Panchayat member of Bengaluru. Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr HD Deve Gowda came here from Hassan District. When Bengaluru was divided it got a different name. It is a divisional headquarters, but it is in Bengaluru District, why should we lose the name?” Shivakumar asked.
“It is the region which produced five to six Chief Ministers for Karnataka. To pursue their political career, Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda have come here, that’s all. They came and went on to become CM and PM.
“All people, irrespective of the political party they belong to, are happy with the renaming of the district to Bengaluru South district,” Shivakumar stated.
“The whole world is looking at Bengaluru. You look at what former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee stated about Bengaluru. I don’t want to lose that. Bengaluru is a global city and why should we not make use of the brand?
“The name, Bengaluru, was chosen by our ancestors and why should we let it go? The headquarters of the Bengaluru South district would be Ramanagara city. It is being done in the interest of the people. We are thinking about the future generations,” Shivakumar stated.
–IANS
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