NCBC to consider proposal for Maratha quota if it comes

Community has been agitating for last few weeks demanding quota in government jobs

The National Commission for Backward Classes will consider giving reservation to Marathas if such a proposal comes to it, a member of the body said.

The Commission considers inclusions and exclusions from the lists of communities notified as backward for the purpose of reservations.

Marathas, the politically-dominant community in Maharashtra, have been agitating for last few weeks raising various demands including quota in government jobs and education institutes.

"If the proposal for reservation to Marathas comes in front of the commission, it will be considered by the body on the basis of social and economical condition of the community," NCBC member Ashok Saini told PTI.

However, Saini added that earlier a similar proposal had been rejected by the commission.

The Maharashtra government had recommended a list of 116 castes for inclusion in the OBC segment. The list does not have Marathas in it, Saini informed.

Meanwhile, the BJP-led state government is facing a legal challenge in defending the Act notified in March 2015 for a 16 per cent quota in jobs and education entry to the Maratha community.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reiterated the government's commitment for quota to Marathas, who account for a third of the state's population.