Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has expressed his intention to hold discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis regarding a proposed five percent quota in educational admissions for the Muslim community. This initiative aims to reinstate the previously introduced quota, which was removed during the tenure of the BJP-Shiv Sena government.
In 2014, the then Congress-led government had instituted a five percent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions alongside similar provisions for the Maratha community in both jobs and education. However, the subsequent government, led by the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, eliminated the Muslim quota when implementing legislation to provide reservation to the Marathas.
Addressing a meeting of the Minority Welfare Department at the state headquarters Mantralaya, Pawar highlighted that the five percent educational quota for the minority community had not encountered any legal obstacles, distinguishing it from the Maratha reservation issue. He expressed his intention to consult with CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis before reaching a decision on the matter.
As the Minister of Finance, Pawar also assured that recommendations made by a committee led by the chief secretary, aimed at achieving uniformity in schemes facilitated by institutions like Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research and Training Institute (SARTHI), and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research and Training Institute (MAHAJYOTI), will apply to the Maulana Azad Economic Development Corporation. Additionally, Pawar mentioned that the Azad corporation, dedicated to the welfare of the Muslim community, will receive increased funds. He encouraged the organization to explore the possibility of linking its loan schemes with the PM Vishwakarma scheme recently introduced by the Union government.