In a significant move, the newly appointed Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC) has embarked on a comprehensive survey of the Maratha community to accurately assess their eligibility for reservations in jobs and education.
The survey, conducted by the Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, aims to adopt a modern approach by examining changes in living conditions over the past 10 to 15 years, encompassing education, literacy rates, superstitions, poverty levels, and more. Maratha Reservation Eligibility
Maratha Reservation Eligibility Survey Methodology and Criteria:
Unlike previous commissions that adhered to outdated criteria, the MSCBC has broadened its parameters to analyze the evolution of the Maratha community’s living conditions. The survey questionnaire, comprising 154 questions, focuses on various aspects such as education, literacy rates among men and women, and traditional customs and superstitions. The criteria include factors like enrollment rates in schools, dropout rates, and pass percentages in Class X, reflecting the community’s educational backwardness.
The commission will also examine the impact of agrarian crises on farm laborers, dabbawalahs, Mathadi laborers, and families affected by suicides driven by the agrarian crisis. Economic indicators, such as poverty levels and housing conditions, will play a pivotal role in determining backwardness. Factors like family livelihoods, access to basic amenities, and occupation types will also be scrutinized to paint a holistic picture.
Focus on Legal Aspects:
From a legal standpoint, the survey assumes significance as it aligns with the constitutional provisions regarding reservations for socially and educationally backward classes. The criteria set by the commission, including educational parameters and economic indicators, are likely to be assessed against the legal framework to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates.
Maratha Reservation Eligibility
The Supreme Court’s role in adjudicating the validity of reservation policies is crucial. The survey’s findings will be submitted as a part of the state’s response when the Supreme Court begins hearing the curative petition on January 24. The legal aspect involves ensuring that the survey methodology and criteria adhere to established norms and constitutional principles, preventing legal challenges to the reservation policies based on the survey results.
Economic and Social Indicators:
The inclusion of economic indicators such as poverty levels, housing conditions, and livelihood sources underscores the holistic approach taken by the MSCBC. By considering these factors, the commission aims to assess the overall socio-economic backwardness of the Maratha community. This aligns with legal precedents that recognize the importance of a multifaceted evaluation to determine reservation eligibility.
Role of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE):
The Pune-based GIPE, entrusted with conducting the survey, has a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and impartiality of the data collected. The use of an app for survey responses streamlines the process, and the institute’s trained officials will conduct a door-to-door survey of Maratha community members. The efficient collection and tabulation of data by GIPE will contribute to the credibility of the survey results.
The survey initiated by the MSCBC represents a paradigm shift in assessing the eligibility of the Maratha community for reservations. By adopting a modern and comprehensive approach, considering legal, economic, and social dimensions, the commission aims to address the complexities of reservation policies.
The legal aspect, intertwined with constitutional mandates, will play a pivotal role in determining the fate of these reservations. As the survey progresses, its findings will not only shape policies in Maharashtra but also contribute to the broader discourse on reservation criteria and socio-economic backwardness in India.
