Maratha quota: Maharashtra Govt. Considering Refunding Fee to Students, Check Details Here

The Maharashtra government is planning to return students' fees who would have benefited with Maratha reservation for admissions to medical colleges, informed Amit Deshmukh, state minister on Monday.

Further, Deshmukh, the state medical education minister, added that his department would issue a proposal before the state cabinet for the same.

During September this year, The Supreme Court stayed the establishment of the Maratha quota in jobs and education and discussed the whole matter with a larger bench.

Later, the Maharashtra government applied to a larger bench of the SC, urging vacation of the stay to implement the quota.

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Deshmukh informed the media that the state government is considering how students could get relief for admissions to medical education, who have been affected by the Supreme Court’s interim stay on implementing the Maratha quota.

When he was asked about whether the government will reimburse their fees, he stated, “This (reimbursing fees) could be an option, and the proposal will be moved before the cabinet by the medical education department. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Ji will take a final call on the same after the cabinet discusses it.”

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Deshmukh further informed that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, including the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress, would ensure that Maratha community students do not suffer at any point.

The Supreme Court in September stayed the implementation of Maharashtra law 2018 allowing reservation to Marathas in education and jobs but clearly mentioned that the status of those who have availed of the benefits will not be affected.

The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018, was enacted to grant reservation to the Maratha community across Maharashtra for seeking jobs and admissions.

The Bombay High Court, while upholding the law in June last year, informed that 16 percent reservation was not justifiable. 

As per the Bombay High Court, the quota should not exceed 13 percent in admissions and 12 percent in employment.

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