Hi,

The Maharashtra Assembly Monday passed an amendment bill bringing down the quantum of Maratha reservation from 16 per cent, as determined earlier by the state, to 12 per cent and 13 per cent in education and government jobs.

The bill, which follows a Bombay High Court order last week, amended the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) Act to revise downwards the percentage of quota for Marathas.

Moving the amendment bill, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the HC had upheld the constitutional validity of the law, providing for quota to the community, but directed that it be slashed from 16 per cent to 12 per cent and 13 per cent.

Fadnavis told the Lower House said at present the SEBC law stands, but the quantum of quota (16 per cent) does not exist.

The Advocate General, who represented the state in the HC over the quota issue, had advised the government to amend the original act which was enacted late last year.

Accordingly, as per the court order and Monday's amendment bill, there will be 12 per cent quota in education and 13 per cent in jobs for the Maratha community.

Last month, the Assembly had unanimously cleared a bill to provide reservation to the Maratha community in post-graduate medical courses.