Government Committed to Ensuring Justice for Every Community

– ₹1,500 crore allocated to Mahajyoti; 63 hostels built for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
– Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, Oct 2025 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Mahajyoti organization has been provided with the required funds, and ₹1,500 crore has been released this month. He also informed that 63 hostels have been constructed across the state for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A meeting with the OBC delegation was held at Sahyadri Guest House under the chairmanship of CM Fadnavis. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister and Chairman of the OBC Cabinet Subcommittee Chandrashekhar Bawankule, committee members Chhagan Bhujbal (Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister), Pankaja Munde (Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Animal Husbandry), Atul Save (Minister for Other Backward Bahujan Welfare), MP Prashant Padole, MLAs Parinay Phuke, Vijay Wadettiwar, Vikas Thakre, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, and OBC delegation members Navnath Waghmare, Prakash Shendge, Mangesh Sasane, and others.

Fadnavis stated that all schemes of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation have been extended to corporations belonging to the OBC category as well. The state government always takes decisions within the framework of the law, ensuring that no decision is misused and that no injustice is done to any community, including OBCs. “The government is committed to ensuring justice for every section of society,” he said.

Legal Process Followed in Issuing Caste Certificates

The Chief Minister explained that Marathwada was the only region once under the Nizam’s rule rather than British rule, and therefore, records from the Hyderabad Gazette have been accepted as valid references. “No person belonging to the Kunbi community should face injustice,” he said.

He clarified that the government decision fully adheres to legal norms, and fears that caste certificates will be issued merely based on marriage records or affidavits are unfounded.

Rules have been framed to define the process for issuing and verifying caste certificates. A Genealogy Committee has been constituted to verify the ancestral records of applicants, and all issued certificates will undergo further scrutiny by the verification committee. “No one will receive a caste certificate based on forged or incomplete documents,” the Chief Minister emphasized.

Dedicated Cabinet Subcommittee for OBC Affairs

A separate Cabinet Subcommittee has been formed for the OBC community, endowed with full Cabinet powers. It has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of all government schemes in the state.

Several corporations have been established for various sub-castes within the OBC category, and share capital has been provided to these corporations. CM Fadnavis noted that a decision has been taken to extend all schemes of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation to these OBC corporations as well.

“Action Will Be Taken Against Those Submitting Fake Certificates” – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that while granting reservations to any community, the rights of others will not be compromised. “Providing justice to OBC, SC, ST, and all other sections is the government’s firm policy. Every decision will be taken within the framework of law,” he said.

“Submitting fake certificates is a criminal offense, and legal action will be taken against all such cases,” Shinde warned.

“No Injustice to Any Community Is the Government’s Policy” – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar reiterated that ensuring no injustice to any community remains the government’s core principle. “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are still socially disadvantaged groups. Therefore, both the Central and State governments are implementing various schemes for their upliftment. Alongside, the state government is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for other communities as well,” he said.

He added that the state government provides timely funding to Mahajyoti and other similar institutions for their welfare and development initiatives.

During the meeting, members of the OBC Cabinet Subcommittee shared their views. The session was attended by Dr. Harshadeep Kamble (Principal Secretary, Social Justice Department), A.B. Dhulaj (Secretary, Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department), and several Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries of various departments.