Maharashtra Forms Cabinet Subcommittee on OBC Welfare
Senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule to head panel; move follows Manoj Jarange ending hunger strike over Maratha reservation.
- Maharashtra forms cabinet subcommittee on OBC welfare amid Maratha quota protests.
- BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule appointed chairperson; panel includes BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP leaders.
- Move follows activist Manoj Jarange ending hunger strike after govt assurance.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 3rd Sept: In a politically charged backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota protests, the Maharashtra government has constituted a cabinet subcommittee to focus on issues concerning the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
According to sources, the panel will work on programs and schemes for the social, educational, and economic development of OBCs. Senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule has been appointed chairperson of the subcommittee.
The panel includes senior leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Patil, Sanjay Rathod, Pankaja Munde, Atul Save, and Dattatray Bharne. Politically, the subcommittee consists of 4 BJP members, 2 Shiv Sena leaders, and 2 from NCP. An official announcement is expected shortly.
Backdrop of Maratha Quota Stir
The formation of the subcommittee comes just after Maratha activist Manoj Jarange ended his five-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, declaring a “victory” after the government conceded to key demands. Surrounded by thousands of supporters, Jarange ended his fast on Tuesday evening after being offered juice by senior minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
The state government has agreed to issue Kunbi caste certificates (falling under OBC quota) to eligible Maratha families in Marathwada, besides providing compensation and government jobs to families of those who died during the agitation. Protesters had also demanded a 10% quota in jobs and education under the OBC category.
Bombay HC’s Intervention
The Bombay High Court, taking note of the disruption, said the protest had “literally paralysed” Mumbai and directed authorities to clear Azad Maidan by 3 PM on Tuesday. The agitation, which saw Jarange and around 4,000 supporters camping since August 29, had triggered massive traffic snarls and chaos in South Mumbai.
