Ajit Pawar hints at caste survey in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government is looking at the possibility of holding a caste survey in the state, similar to what Bihar did recently, as a precursor to give reservations to the Maratha community, thus resolving the imbroglio over Maratha quota.

"The Bihar government has taken a different view (from other states)... We are discussing whether something of that sort could be done (here)," Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday.

He said the matter would be taken up in the winter session of the state assembly in December. "Maharashtra has given 52% reservations and 10% has been given to the economically weaker sections (EWS provided by the Centre)," Pawar said.


The state seems to be looking at this as a way out of the reservation imbroglio as the Maratha community wants the benefits of reservation and be included in the list of other backward castes (OBCs).

However, OBCs in the state are opposed to the move to include Marathas as OBCs.