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Dnyanesh Jathar
Dnyanesh Jathar

Quota

In a historic move, Maharashtra govt announces reservation for orphans

pankaja-munde-maharashtra-minister-pti Minister for Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde | PTI

Maharashtra became the first state in the country to announce one per cent reservation for orphans. The historic decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting of the state cabinet and is aimed at social and economic empowerment of children who grow up without parents in orphanages.

Minister for Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde said the one per cent reservation for orphans will not affect other communities benefiting from quotas. It will be introduced within open category to help orphans get education and employment, especially in government services.

The problems faced by orphans was brought to the notice of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by Amrita Karavande, an orphan who grew up in an orphanage in Goa and completed her education in Maharashtra. She had even cracked the examination of Maharashtra Public Service Commission but her name did not figure in the merit list as she did not know her caste. It so happened that a few candidates who had scored less than her got into merit list because of reservations. Upon realising this, Amrita had written to Fadnavis and met him to urge him that the government should look into the problems faced by orphans.

After they reach age of 18 the orphans have to be on their own. Being orphans, they do not know their caste or community. This can become hindrance in completing education and getting employment.

According to an official in the CMO, Fadnavis assured Amrita that his government would do its best to solve the problems of orphans. It has just been a fortnight since Amrita Karvande met chief minster and today the state cabinet took the decision to have one per cent reservation for orphans.

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