Maharashtra government raises EBC limit to Rs 6 lakh with a rider

Mumbai: In a bid to address the concerns related to the Maratha community that is demanding reservations, the Maharashtra government on Thursday unveiled a number of steps that will not just help the community but also other poor people in the state.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that upper limit for Economically Backward class (EBC) will be raised to Rs 6 lakh. From now on, the government will pay 50 per cent of fees for those students’ professional courses whose parents have annual income of Rs 6 lakh and less.

This is exactly similar to the benefits given to the OBC community under which the Marathas are asking to be included to get reservation. Students who secure at least 60 per cent and above marks will be eligible for the benefits of this scheme.Move will not just help the Marathas but also the Muslims and other communities in the state.

The 60 per cent caveat has, however, been removed for those having an annual income of Rs 2.5 lakh and less. Since the Maratha community was also claiming that students from their community were not able to get admissions in government medical colleges as they don’t get reservation, the Fadnavis government also said that students of those parents whose annual income is between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh do not need to pay interest on their education loans as the state will pay the interest dues. This will not be just for government colleges but also private insitutions too.