सृजनशील विचारांचा प्रवाह स्रोत
Devendra Fadnavis, a champion of the OBC causes, has always stood for the support and empowerment of the Other Backward Class (OBC) communities in Maharashtra. During his tenure as CM between 2014 and 2019, his government implemented a slew of schemes and policies directed at the welfare and progress of the OBC communities to achieve the purpose of their reservations. Through prioritizing the various government programs, such as assessing the level of backwardness of the OBC communities, implementing several OBC student scholarships and other facilities to step up their education and employment opportunities, etc., the Fadnavis government has shown its intent to ensure justice, support, and opportunities for OBC communities in Maharashtra towards their social and economic empowerment.
It was decided to confer the Vasantrao Naik Merit Award to deserving bright OBC students and students from Dalits (freed caste) and nomadic communities who come first in the state and board in class 10th and 12th examinations from the academic year 2015-16. This ensured that the boy or girl students coming 1st in the state and individual boards would receive Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 50 thousand, respectively, along with a memento and certificate.
On the occasion of Mahatma Basaveshwar’s birth anniversary, a government resolution was passed on 8 June 2016 to bestow the “Mahatma Basaveshwar Social Equality-Shiva Award” to an individual or an institution for outstanding work in the social, educational, and religious fields of the Bahujan community on Vaishakh Suddha (Akshay Tritiya) every year.
The eligibility limit to apply for the Post-Matriculation Education Fee Reimbursement Scheme for the students belonging to OBC, SBC, and nomadic tribes was increased. Earlier, only backward-class students with a family income of not more than Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum would be allowed for this scheme. Under the Fadnavis government, this eligibility limit was increased to Rs. 6 lakh per annum as the highest annual family income for students belonging to Other Backward Classes, Special Backward Classes, Dalits, and Nomadic Tribes studying in government-approved, private unaided, and permanent unaided vocational courses in the state. This was announced on August 5, 2016, in the Legislative Assembly, benefiting thousands of students from the backward classes.
The Cabinet approved the formation of a separate OBC ministry to take care of the development of the Dalits, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Special Backward Classes, along with the effective implementation of various economic, social, and educational development schemes of the government for the said groups.
To encourage meritorious students from freed castes and nomadic tribes to pursue higher education, some amendments were made in the government decision dated 25th February 2015 to award the students who will stand first in the 10th and 12th board exams in the state. This decision to give the Vasantrao Naik Merit Award was taken on 4 March 2017.
Department of General Administration, Government Notification No. Shakani 2017/P.No.33/18 (Rev. Ka.), dt. On March 09, 2017, the Department of Freed Castes, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Special Backward Classes Welfare was created. At the same time, approval was given to create posts for Scheduled Castes, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Special Backward Classes Welfare Department.
With intentions to increase the income, raise the standard of living, and provide stability to the families belonging to the backward castes and nomadic tribes and to bring them into the mainstream of development, the government decided to relaunch the Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana with some amendments. On January 24, 2018, the Fadnavis government announced a new government decision for this scheme, superseding the earlier government decisions dated 27 December 2011, 30 January 2013, and 12 August 2014.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a fund sanction of Rs 500 crore for the OBC Mahamandal in two budget sessions to help create employment opportunities for OBC youths.
There was a scholarship scheme dated 11 June 2003 by the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, under the government of Maharashtra, to help students belonging to scheduled castes study abroad. As the scheme wasn’t for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and nomadic tribe students of the state, the meritorious students from these categories wouldn’t qualify for higher education scholarships at foreign universities. In 2018-19, Devendra Fadnavis made the necessary amendments to this scheme to make it applicable to the OBC and nomadic tribal students as well.
Flurry of announcements by the Fadnavis government to benefit the OBCs and Nomadic Castes
A special approval of Rs. 50 crore was announced towards skill development for backward class youths through Shamrao Peje Itar Magasvarg Arthik Vikas Mahamandal Limited and Rs. 100 crore for distribution of modern materials and goods to the Bara Balutedar community of OBCs to enhance the productivity of their traditional occupation.
Savitribai Phule Scholarship Scheme for OBC Girl students
The State Cabinet announced the Savitribai Phule Scholarship Scheme for OBC girls studying in government schools and other educational institutions in the state, from Class V to X. To reduce the school dropout rate of girls, this scheme was earlier implemented for girls belonging to SC, ST, Nomadic Tribes, and SBC studying in classes V to VII and for girls belonging to SC, Nomadic Tribes, and SBC in classes VIII to X. The scholarship amount of Rs 60 per month was announced for the eligible students of classes V to VII for ten months, and Rs. 100 per month for the students of classes VIII to X for ten months.
Honoring meritorious OBC students of class 10 and 12
The Vasantrao Naik Merit Awards was announced by the government to honor the meritorious OBC students who would come 1st in 10th and 12th board exams in the state. The award values of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 51 thousand with mementos and certificates were decided for the students who came 1st in the state and those who came 1st in various board exams, respectively.
36 hostels for OBC students
The Cabinet approved the opening of 36 hostels for OBC students, 18 for boys and 18 for girls, at district locations. It was decided to provide free accommodation, food, educational materials and health facilities to 100 students from this hostel.
Mahatma Basaveshwar Social Samata-Shiva Award was launched on the occasion of Mahatma Basaveshwar’s birth anniversary to support an individual or an organization for outstanding work in the social, educational, and economic development of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. The prize of Rs 25,000 for the individual winners and Rs. 51,000 for organizations was announced. The Fadnavis government released a government decision in this regard on March 8, 2019.
Devendra Fadnavis’s strong push for OBC development activities in Maharashtra reflects his vision of the state’s all-around development. Due to his relentless efforts, the educational, social, and economic upliftment of the OBC community in Maharashtra has created an example for other states to follow. Protection of reservations in local bodies, the establishment of the OBC Commission, and the implementation of economic schemes for the OBC community, encouragement for education through OBC student scholarships and post-matric scholarships were some of his grassroots initiatives for the OBCs that paved the way for the empowerment, opportunities, and progress of the community.
Devendra Fadnavis, during his first term as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, created a separate…
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