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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Maratha quota stir poised for revival

Manoj Jarange issues August ultimatum as CM cites record certificate distribution Mumbai: Maharashtra is bracing for renewed political turbulence as the Maratha quota agitation threatens to engulf the state once again. Prominent activist Manoj Jarange Patil has sounded a clarion call for a final, decisive protest beginning August 29, marking the third anniversary of the community’s relentless struggle. In stark contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stepped in to defuse the escalating...

Maratha quota stir poised for revival

Manoj Jarange issues August ultimatum as CM cites record certificate distribution Mumbai: Maharashtra is bracing for renewed political turbulence as the Maratha quota agitation threatens to engulf the state once again. Prominent activist Manoj Jarange Patil has sounded a clarion call for a final, decisive protest beginning August 29, marking the third anniversary of the community’s relentless struggle. In stark contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stepped in to defuse the escalating tensions, asserting that the government remains highly responsive to the community’s demands and that the pendency of caste certificates is virtually negligible. Addressing a massive press conference at Antarwali Sarati in the Jalna district of Marathwada, Jarange Patil expressed deep frustration with the state administration. He accused the government of deliberately deceiving the Maratha community and employing delaying tactics. According to the activist, the state has discovered approximately 58 lakh Kunbi caste records, yet the administration continues to withhold vital Kunbi certificates from eligible Maratha community members. Issuing a stern ultimatum, he demanded that caste certificates based on the Hyderabad gazette be issued to all rightful beneficiaries by August 28. Failing this, he warned, a massive mobilization will commence from every village across the state starting August 19. He passionately stated that the community has been sacrificing its blood for the youth for three years and will not back down until the issue reaches a logical conclusion. Robust Defence Countering these allegations, CM Fadnavis presented a robust defence of the Mahayuti government’s track record while speaking to the media in Nagpur. He emphasised that caste certificates are processed and issued promptly upon request. He firmly stated that everyone who has applied for a caste certificate has received it, adding that the number of pending cases is exceedingly low. Fadnavis dismissed the notion that certificates are being arbitrarily denied, reinforcing that the current administration has made and executed more pro-Maratha decisions than any previous government. He maintained a conciliatory tone, noting that the administration remains open to dialogue and is willing to find constructive solutions if any genuine grievances persist. Progress Report The state government’s claims are corroborated by the latest progress report from the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee, which was established to oversee the distribution of Maratha-Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha, and Kunbi certificates. As of July 27, 2026, the data from the Divisional Commissionerate in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar paints a picture of swift administrative action in Marathwada. Out of a total of 311,609 applications received, a staggering 311,033 applicants have been successfully issued Kunbi certificates. Only 515 applications faced rejection, while a mere 61 remain pending across the division. Furthermore, officials noted that 72,012 certificates have been distributed in the region from September 2025 to the present date. A district-wise analysis of the Marathwada region highlights this extensive distribution network. In Beed district, the administration achieved a near-perfect clearance rate, distributing 206,789 certificates against 206,799 applications, with zero pending files currently. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar saw 25,211 certificates issued from 25,295 applications, leaving only 15 pending. Similarly, Jalna district processed 18,128 applications to distribute 18,053 certificates, with just 13 awaiting approval. Parbhani and Hingoli districts reported the distribution of 20,832 and 13,286 certificates, respectively, with negligible pendency. Nanded district cleared all its 4,841 applications with no backlog, while Latur and Dharashiv districts successfully distributed 2,751 and 19,281 certificates, respectively. Demands’ Charter Despite these administrative milestones, Jarange Patil has expanded his charter of demands, intensifying his critique of the state’s welfare mechanisms. He has now called for the creation of a dedicated Maratha welfare department, questioning why the Maratha community cannot have a separate ministry similar to the one existing for OBCs. He alleged that nine ministers in the current coalition are actively opposing this proposal, threatening to expose their names during the mega rally on August 29. Furthermore, he lashed out at the government over the systemic failure in implementing existing welfare schemes. He claimed that despite official resolutions granting Maratha students parity with OBC students, educational institutions are not enforcing these benefits at the school and college levels. He also accused the state of shutting down initiatives under the Sarathi institute and noted that flawed loan processes under the Annasaheb Patil Corporation are turning into bad debts, effectively ruining the CIBIL scores of young entrepreneurs. Capping off his grievances, Jarange Patil alleged a discriminatory bias in government recruitment, questioning the state administration over what he termed an “apartheid” against Maratha candidates.

The AKKA Budget

Nirmala Sitharaman opts for steadiness, backing manufacturing and infrastructure over headline-grabbing reform

Mumbai: The Union Budget, often tracked for bold announcements, strikes a steadier tone this year. Amid global uncertainty, it avoids dramatic policy shifts, favouring a measured path. Manufacturing and MSMEs remain at the core, with tourism, healthcare, and IT services positioned as growth drivers. True to its deregulation tradition, the government has opted for caution, carefully balancing fiscal priorities. Alongside industry, renewed emphasis on cultural heritage and medical tourism rounds out a balanced growth agenda.


As front loaded strategy Capex is expected to close at Rs. 10.95 trillion in current year and increases by 11 percent to Rs. 12.21 trillion next year. Railways, roadways, and defence together account for nearly two-thirds of the allocation. Grants-in-aid for capital asset creation have jumped from Rs. 3.08 trillion to Rs.4.92 trillion, largely benefiting states and reinforcing cooperative federalism. This underscores the strategy of driving productivity through renewed infrastructure.


Focus on MSMEs continues with launch a Rs. 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, while the Self-Reliant India Fund will receive an additional Rs. 2,000 crore. Over Rs. 7 trillion will be made available through TREDS to ease liquidity stress. The government will enable professional institutes to create short-term courses for training ‘Corporate Mitras’ in Tier-II and Tier-III towns to support MSMEs with affordable compliance solutions.


On manufacturing front, the Rs. 10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI initiative will position India as a hub for biologics and biosimilars over next five years. Semiconductor Mission 2.0 expands into equipment, materials, and full-stack IP with industry-led R&D and training centres, while the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme has grown to Rs. 40,000 crore after surpassing targets.


Rare Earth Corridors and three new Chemical Parks will cut import dependence, complemented by Hi-Tech Tool Rooms, advanced construction equipment schemes, and a Rs.10,000 crore container manufacturing programme to strengthen logistics. Customs duty exemptions remain a lever, continuing for rare earth processing, battery manufacturing, and energy storage systems, with nuclear power project emptions extended till 2035 to reinforce clean energy growth.


Rural Prosperity

Targeting rural prosperity, the centre will develop 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to boost fisheries and promote animal husbandry for quality jobs. Coconut Promotion Scheme will benefit 30 million people, alongside cashew and cocoa programmes aiming for self-reliance by 2030. Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI advisory, will support smarter farming, while SHE-Marts will help rural women shift from credit-based livelihoods to business ownership.


Considering healthcare as a core of growth measures have taken to train and add 1 lakh Allied Health Professionals, train 1.5 lakh caregivers, and invest in Ayurveda, mental health, and medical tourism. Five Regional Medical Hubs will integrate healthcare, education, research, AYUSH centres, and tourism to drive jobs and value-based care. Traditional medicine will be strengthened through three new Ayurveda institutes, upgraded labs, and an expanded WHO Centre in Jamnagar to boost certification, research, and exports.


A High-Level standing Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat will review the banking sector. Public sector NBFCs like PFC and REC will be restructured to improve efficiency. The hike in STT on futures and options has unsettled equity markets, but it comes against SEBI’s finding that 97 percent of traders lose money in F&O. The move signals the government’s intent to caution retail investors against excessive speculation in this segment.


The textile industry, hit by US tariffs, gets a major boost through support for natural and new-age fibres, cluster modernisation, and integrated backing for handloom and handicrafts. The Tex-Eco Initiative drives sustainability, while Samarth 2.0 enhances skilling through industry-academia partnerships. Mega Textile Parks will advance technical textiles, and the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj programme will strengthen khadi, handloom, and rural crafts, linking them to global markets and empowering artisans and rural youth.


Logistical connectivity is boosted with declaration of new east west Dedicated Freight Corridors, and 20 National Waterways to be operationalised over five years. Regional Centres of Excellence will train youth along these routes, while ship repair hubs in Varanasi and Patna will support maritime infrastructure.


Nirmala Sitharaman is fondly known as ‘Akka’ (elder sister) in her inner circles. While presenting her record ninth consecutive budget she has ensured that the acronym ‘Akka’ stood true. Here is the ‘Akka’ stands for her trust on the key areas – Ayush, Kartaya (duty), Kisan (farmer) and Avsar (opportunities).   


Record for Nirmala

Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday made history as she presented a record ninth consecutive Budget. This took her closer to the record of 10 budgets that were presented by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai over different time periods. Desai presented six budgets during his tenure as finance minister from 1959 to 1964, and four budgets between 1967 and 1969. Former finance ministers P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee had presented nine and eight budgets, respectively, under different prime ministers. Sitharaman, however, will continue to hold the record of presenting the maximum number of budgets on the trot -- nine straight budgets under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

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