Govt positive regarding demands of Maratha community: Maha Minister

Mumbai, Aug 26 (IANS) The state government is positive regarding the demands of the Maratha community, and all administrative departments should take immediate action on pending issues related to the community, Minister for Water Resources (Godavari and Krishna Basin Development Corporation) and Chairman of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub‑Committee Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil directed on Tuesday.

Vikhe Patil chaired a review meeting on various issues related to the Maratha community at the Ministry. The meeting was attended by Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, MLA Prasad Lad, Annasaheb Patil Corporation Chairman Narendra Patil, Justice Sandeep Shinde (retd), Secretary of the Sub‑Committee Appaso Dhulaj, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Secretary of the Medical Education Department Dhiraj Kumar, Secretary of the Agriculture Department Parimal Singh, Joint Secretary of the Planning Department Gitanjali Baviskar, Managing Director of Sarathi Satish Kumar Khadke, Managing Director of Annasaheb Patil Corporation Avinash Rankhamb and senior officers of various departments.

Vikhe Patil said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, the state government has decided to implement educational facilities and concessions similar to those available to OBC category students for Maratha community students from the current academic year.

He added that all departments have already started action in this regard. Henceforth, the concerned departments should speed up the process and immediately issue appropriate instructions to regional offices. A report of the action taken should be submitted to the Maratha Reservation Cell. Pending funds under the Punjabrao Deshmukh Subsistence Allowance Scheme should be released immediately. Vikhe Patil instructed all departments to appoint nodal officers to coordinate issues related to the Maratha community with the Maratha Reservation Cell.

He further said that Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors should review the distribution of Kunbi caste certificates and caste verification certificates and ensure certificates are issued within the stipulated time. The concerned departments should immediately appoint officers to vacant posts of Caste Verification Committee Chairmen. Immediate action should also be taken to appoint heirs of those who sacrificed their lives in the Maratha Reservation Movement to government service.

Vikhe Patil informed the meeting that the government will distribute Rs 450 crore to the Annasaheb Patil Corporation by the end of July and directed that this fund be distributed to beneficiaries immediately. The necessary demand for the remaining amount should be submitted. Sarathi Sanstha should implement training activities that make Maratha community youth employable. The demand to appoint candidates on the waiting list in the Mahavitaran recruitment process should be examined and acted upon. Immediate action should also be taken on the proposal to permanently include candidates appointed to the majority of posts in government service.

He added that hostel construction is in the final stage and competent institutions should be selected to manage hostels with a capacity of 4,000 boys and 4,000 girls.

–IANS

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