The A V Nirgude (retired)-led commission for Backward Classes has supportedMaharashtragovernment’s 27 per cent quota for other backward classes (OBC) in local self-government bodies poll and in its interim report said that data extracted fromSARAL(rural and urban areas) and UDISE indicates that in the state, more than 35 per cent of the Population belongs to OBC.
The commission said it finds data from Systematic Administrative Reforms for Achieving and Learning(SARAL) and UDISE report by the department of Education more reliable”. The UDISE report indicates that the OBC population is 38 per cent, it said.The above sources (SARAL & UDISE), indicates the Percentage of OBC pupils, joined the schools, therefore, it endorses that the percentage of OBCs in Maharashtra may be much more than 38 per cent,” said the report making its authoritative recommendation” to restore and grant 27 per cent political reservation to OBC in the upcoming Elections to the local self government.
The report said, on analyzing the data and documents submitted by the State Government it thought it fit to recommend restoration of 27 per cent quota which is already prescribed by enactments, excluding areas notified by the PESA Act and subject to the permissible upper limit of 50 per cent to OBC category in local self-government, excluding statutory reservation meant for SC and ST.