SC sub-categorisation only after talks: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the State Government has not taken any final decision on the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and will act only after extensive consultations while strictly complying with the directions of the Supreme Court.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said the exercise aims to identify Scheduled Caste communities that have remained deprived of adequate representation despite the existing reservation system.

He stressed that the issue is not about introducing a fresh reservation within the SC quota, but about examining the representation of different communities in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions on sub-classification.

He said the Government had constituted the Badar Committee, which has submitted its report.  “The report was placed before the State Cabinet, where it was decided that suggestions and objections should be invited from all stakeholders because the matter affects a large section of society,” the chief minister added. Fadnavis said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been formed to receive suggestions and objections and conduct hearings before making any recommendations.

He said the Government has not introduced any Bill on the issue in the legislature. “The Government’s stand is clear. A final decision will be taken only after wide consultations, and while taking that decision, the directions of the Supreme Court will be followed in letter and spirit,” he added.

The chief minister further said the Government has no intention of doing injustice to any community and that appropriate measures would be taken if any Scheduled Caste community was found to have been left behind.