Cell to be set up for Maratha reservation: Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil

Mumbai: BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Wednesday said a cell will be set up for Maratha reservation and a helpline number will be started in the district collector’s office to assist citizens in searching for records regarding reservation, Kunbi caste certificate, caste verification certificate and other documents. Vikhe-Patil said to resolve problems regarding the certificate, a helpline number -- 9326562815 -- has been started in the water resources minister’s office, and this number can be contacted during office hours. Vikhe-Patil is minister for water resources (Godavari and Krishna Basin Development Corporation) and chairman of the Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee.

The Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee meeting was held recently. Apart from Vikhe-Patil, higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, water resources minister Girish Mahajan, industries minister Uday Samant, public works minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale, tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai, cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil, horticulture minister Bharat Gogavale, relief and rehabilitation minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil, MLA Prasad Lad, Economically Backward Development Corporation chairman Narendra Patil, law and justice department principal secretary Dilip Ghumre, principal secretary (Home) Anup Kumar Singh, Pune divisional commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugle, Satara collector Santosh Patil, Saarthi managing director Mahesh Patil, Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation managing director Vijaysinh Deshmukh, and other senior officials were present.

Vikhe-Patil said all departments should start coordinated action at the administrative level to fulfil the promises made regarding the Maratha reservation issue within the stipulated time. “Officers should work seriously to ensure that decisions are taken sensitively regarding the Maratha reservation issue. Action will be taken against the officers who are negligent in due course,” Vikhe-Patil said.