26 August,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Pic/Special Arrangement
The Maharashtra government is taking a positive approach towards the demands of the Maratha community and has directed departments to speed up action on pending issues, Water Resources Minister and chairman of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said on Tuesday.
Vikhe Patil made the remarks while reviewing various issues concerning the community at a meeting held at Mantralaya. He directed departments to take immediate action on pending matters and ensure that decisions already taken by the government are implemented without delay.
Vikhe Patil said the government has decided to extend educational facilities and concessions available to students from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category to students from the Maratha community from the current academic year.
He said departments have started implementing the decision but directed officials to accelerate the process and issue necessary instructions to their field offices. The departments were also asked to submit action-taken reports to the Maratha Reservation Cell.
The minister also directed officials to release pending funds under the Punjabrao Deshmukh Maintenance Allowance Scheme without delay. Departments have been asked to appoint nodal officers to coordinate matters concerning the Maratha community with the Maratha Reservation Cell.
The meeting also reviewed the distribution of Kunbi caste certificates and caste verification certificates. Vikhe Patil instructed officials to ensure that certificates are issued within the prescribed timeframe.
He asked divisional commissioners and district collectors to regularly review the progress of the process. Departments were also directed to appoint officers to fill vacant posts of chairpersons of caste verification committees.
The minister further called for immediate action to provide government jobs to the heirs of people who died during the Maratha reservation agitation.
Vikhe Patil said Rs 450 crore had been allocated to the Annasaheb Patil Development Corporation by the end of July. He directed the corporation to distribute the available funds to eligible beneficiaries immediately and submit a proposal for any additional funds required.
He also asked the corporation to ensure that financial assistance reaches beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
The minister directed SARTHI to introduce training programmes aimed at improving employment opportunities for young men and women from the Maratha community.
The meeting also discussed demands concerning recruitment. Vikhe Patil instructed officials to examine the proposal to appoint candidates from the waiting list in the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) recruitment process.
He also called for immediate action on the proposal to permanently absorb candidates appointed to supernumerary posts into government service.
The government also reviewed the construction and management of hostels being developed for students from the community. Vikhe Patil directed officials to identify suitable institutions to manage the facilities once construction is completed.
The hostels are expected to provide accommodation for 4,000 boys and 4,000 girls.
