Maharashtra Cabinet has approved 10% reservation in education and employment opportunities for economically weaker sections (EWS) today.
However, in November, the Maratha Reservation Bill was unanimously passed by both the Houses of Maharashtra State Legislature in less than an hour after it was tabled by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly. It proposed for 16% reservation under socially and educationally backward class of citizens (SEBC) category.
The state now already has 52% reservation for OBCs, SCs, and STs in government jobs and admission in academic institutions. Notably, Maharashtra has now become the 7th state in India to give reservation to weaker sections of general category.
On Friday, Bihar cabinet passed the bill of 10% reservation given by the Central government in government jobs and education to the economically weaker section in the general category.
Besides Maharashtra, other states like Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam have also approved the bill to implement the reservation.
On January 7, the Union Cabinet had approved a 10%reservation for economically backward upper castes in government jobs. The aim of the move is to benefit those whose family income is under Rs 8 lakh per annum.