ST Students Availing Reservation Benefits in Maharashtra ITIs Under Scrutiny

In recent developments concerning educational equity and reservation policies in Maharashtra, the issue of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students availing reservation benefits despite converting to other religions has come to the forefront. A three-member committee, appointed by the Maharashtra government in December 2023, has submitted an interim report shedding light on this matter.

1. Introduction

The interim report, presented by Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha in the Assembly, highlights a concerning trend. At least 257 ST students, who had converted to religions other than Hinduism, have allegedly availed reservation benefits while studying in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state.

2. Background of the Issue

The issue was first raised by BJP MLCs Niranjan Davkhare, Praveen Darekar, and Prasad Lad in December 2023. They brought attention to the alleged misuse of reservation benefits by ST students who had converted to Islam or Christianity but still secured admissions through reservations earmarked for STs.

3. Formation of the Committee

In response to these concerns, the Maharashtra government formed a three-member committee, chaired by a retired vice-chancellor. This committee was tasked with investigating the extent of the issue and proposing necessary actions.

4. Findings of the Interim Report

Conversion and Reservation Benefits

The interim report indicates that among the 13,858 students admitted to ITIs in Maharashtra in 2023 under ST reservations, 257 students belong to religions other than Hinduism. This raises questions about the eligibility criteria and the enforcement of reservation policies.

Scrutiny of Admissions

The committee has pledged to scrutinize the admissions of these 257 students thoroughly. This scrutiny involves visiting the respective ITIs, the students’ villages, and integrated tribal development projects to assess the situation comprehensively.

Breakdown of Religious Affiliation

According to the report, the religious affiliation of the 257 students is as follows: 37 Muslim, 4 Buddhist, 3 Christian, and 1 Sikh. Additionally, 190 students belong to other faiths, while the religious affiliation of 22 students remains unknown.

5. Existing Government Rules and Laws

The existing laws allow individuals belonging to STs to profess any religion and still be entitled to reservation benefits. However, the interim report raises concerns about the misuse of these benefits by students who have converted to other religions.

6. Recommendations and Future Surveys

The committee has recommended expanding the survey to other educational institutions if similar complaints arise. This expansion would include medical colleges, other universities, and government departments to ensure the integrity of reservation policies across sectors.

7. BJP’s Initiative and GR Issuance

The initiative taken by BJP MLCs led to the issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) to address the issue formally. The GR mandated the formation of the committee to investigate the alleged misuse of reservation benefits.

8. Scope of Survey Expansion

The committee’s recommendation to conduct similar surveys in other sectors underscores the gravity of the issue. The expansion of such surveys will ensure that reservation benefits reach the deserving candidates and prevent any potential misuse.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, the interim report submitted by the committee sheds light on a critical issue concerning reservation policies in Maharashtra. The scrutiny of ST students availing reservation benefits despite converting to other religions underscores the need for stricter enforcement of eligibility criteria and the thorough examination of admissions.

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