Ajit Pawar: MVA govt will not touch OBC quota to provide reservation to Maratha community

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (NCP) on Tuesday said that the MVA government will not do injustice to Marathas and OBC on implementation of the quota.

Pawar also slammed BJP for playing politics on the Maratha and OBC quota. He clarified that the state government was making all efforts to restore 12% quota in education and 13% in government jobs for the Maratha community. He further stated that the government will not touch 27% OBC quota to provide reservation to the Maratha community which is currently stayed by the Supreme Court.

Replying to a debate on the supplementary demand, Pawar, who also holds Finance portfolio, said despite the financial crunch caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, the MVA government had not slashed funds for the departments of public health, medical education, food and civil supplies, relief and rehabilitation and home.

"Rs 12,000 crore for salaries and pension has not been impacted. The government has not touched the MLA fund and Rs 9,000 crore for DPC," he said.

Pawar said the government didn't nurse any regional bias in allocation of funds for the people affected by a cyclone, heavy rains and floods.

"The BJP is unable to digest its defeat in the Legislative Council polls for Graduates and Teachers constituencies," he said.