Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday told the Bombay High Court it had followed due procedure of law in constituting the State Backward Class Commission (SBCC). It further told the HC that the report submitted by this SBCC, recommending reservation to Maratha community, has been prepared scientifically.
The SBCC had in its reports recommended reservation to Marathas in the ground that the community was socially and educationally backward. A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the government’s decision to grant 16 per cent quota to Marathas.
On Monday, the bench heard the arguments advanced by senior counsel Anil Sakhre, arguing on behalf of the government.
In his submissions, Sakhre told the judges that the contentions of the petitioners claiming the SBCC report cannot be relied upon, are unfounded.
Refuting the allegations of the petitioners, Sakhre said, “The report was prepared scientifically and has no errors. However, any minor errors must be discredited.” “A thorough study was carried out by the expert members of the SBCC and this qualitative data collected by the commission, was collected through proper survey in various parts of the state,” Sakhre submitted.
Sakhre, further said, the commission had conducted several public hearings in nearly 21 districts of the state, including Mumbai. “People from all walks of life were interviewed by the commission, be it politicians, common man, working professionals etc. So, no one can say that their representations weren’t considered,” Sakhre submitted. The bench will continue hearing the arguments on Tuesday.
