The Maharashtra government has taken a big step to support the social and economic development of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. On September 3, the government announced the creation of a new nine-member cabinet sub-committee, led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. This committee will focus on issues related to social, educational, and financial matters of the OBC community.
The main goal of this sub-committee is to coordinate and improve government schemes and policies for OBCs. It will review existing programs, suggest ways to improve their effectiveness, and ensure OBC representation in government jobs and private sector roles. The committee will also handle legal matters and work with courts on issues affecting OBC communities.
The committee includes senior leaders from various political parties. Chhagan Bhujbal from NCP, Dattatray Bharane, Ganesh Naik, Pankaja Munde, and Atul Save from BJP, along with Gulabrao Patil and Sanjay Rathod from Shiv Sena, are part of the team. The OBC Department Secretary will serve as the committee’s secretary.
This move comes just after the Maharashtra government notified plans related to issuing Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community from Nagpur and Marathwada — a step aimed at providing benefits to Maratha reservation demands. However, this move has led to protests from some OBC groups, who are concerned about new demands related to Maratha quotas.
Earlier, Chhagan Bhujbal had urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to form a dedicated sub-committee for OBC issues. The new committee will also act as the government’s representative in court cases and coordinate with legal teams to implement court orders concerning OBC welfare.
In addition, the committee may consult experts, scholars, and community leaders to develop effective strategies for OBC upliftment. Its formation reflects the government’s focus on ensuring fair representation and better support for OBC communities across Maharashtra.
This development highlights Maharashtra’s ongoing efforts to address social justice and improve opportunities for backward classes, while balancing regional and community interests.
