The Indian state of Maharashtra has decided to provide 1% reservation for orphans in government jobs and education. The parallel reservation will be provided under the general category. Of the total government jobs available under the general category 1% will be reserved only for orphans. Thus with this move, the government did not face the need to increase the caste reservation quota. The aim behind this move is to help the orphans who are unable to establish their castes.
The announcement of reservation for orphans was made by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. The announcement was made by the Chief Minister when he came across a case when a candidate passing the Maharashtra Public Services Commission (MPSC) failed to qualify for the job via the open category. Despite securing qualifying marks the candidate was unable to make it to the merit list because of lack of caste certificate. The Women and Child Welfare Minister of the state Pankaja Munde said that this move will help the orphans know their castes and thus they will be able to avail the benefits of caste reservation system.
Maharashtra formed on 1st May 1960 (this day is celebrated as Maharashtra Day)is an Indian state in the western region of the country. Maharashtra is the second most populous state of the country with a total population of 112,372,972 as per the 2011 census. Maharashtra covers an area of 307,713 sq km (118,809 sq mi) and is thus the third largest state of the country in terms of area. Maharashtra shares its borders with the Indian states of Goa, Gujarat, Telangana, Chattisgarh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Maharashtra also shares its borders with the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. C. Vidyasagar Rao is the Governor of Maharashtra. The official language of the state is Marathi.
(location of Maharashtra on map of India)