Union Minister Narayan Rane emphasized the need for targeted reservation benefits within the Maratha community, focusing on those who are socially, educationally, and economically disadvantaged. He expressed that it is unnecessary to issue Kunbi certificates to all Marathas to grant them quota benefits, as Kunbis already fall under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and are entitled to reservations. Rane stressed that reservations should be allocated based on a comprehensive survey to identify individuals within the Maratha community who meet the criteria of social, economic, and educational backwardness. He highlighted that the ‘96 kuli’ Marathas have not requested reservations, and the reservation policy should be tailored to address the specific needs of disadvantaged Marathas. “There is no need to give Kunbi caste certificates to all the Marathas in the state. Those who are socially, economically and educationally backward (in the community)should get benefits of reservations.
