Maharashtra Issues Over 3.16 Lakh Kunbi Certificates In Marathwada As State Speeds Up Maratha Reservation Process

The Maharashtra government has significantly accelerated the issuance of Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha certificates in Marathwada, issuing 3,16,977 certificates from 3,17,569 applications received, according to Industries and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant. The government is committed to maintaining transparency in the process, ensuring a legal and sustainable reservation for the Maratha community.

The process has been expedited across the eight Marathwada districts - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Beed, Latur and Dharashiv. As of now, 2,95,305 certificates have been issued under the 10 percent reservation. Of the 21,051 caste verification applications, 16,110 cases have been cleared, with only 64 applications rejected and the rest under process.

Furthermore, the government has made 57 lakh old records available to the public, with special camps held from September 10 to 17 at the gram panchayat level to aid citizens in accessing these records and completing the necessary documentation. The Justice Shinde Committee's Marathwada tour commenced on September 7, with the administration reviewing progress in coordination with district officials and caste verification committees.

The process of issuing certificates based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer has started, with the government seeking the Advocate General's opinion on related applications. The state has also taken a positive stance on implementing the Satara and Kolhapur Gazetteers.