New Delhi, July 12: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay Maharashtra government's decision to grant reservations for Marathas in jobs and educational institution. The apex court, however, saidĀ it will hear the petition seeking to quash Maratha reservation. "We will hear the appeal for quashing of reservation for Maratha for admission in educational institution and government jobs," the top court said.

The Maharashtra governmentĀ has grantedĀ reservations in education and government jobs granted to the Maratha community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class category. It also passed an order yesterday applying the quota to nearly 70,000 vacancies with effect from 2014. However, a benchĀ headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi saidĀ the quotaĀ cannot be given retrospective application with effect from 2014.

The top courtĀ did not stay the Bombay High Court court order upholding the constitutional validity of the Maratha quota law, but made it clear that the aspect allowing the reservation for Marathas with a retrospective effect from 2014 would not be made operational. It alsoĀ sought the Maharashtra governmentā€™s responseĀ on pleas challenging a Bombay High Court order that upheld theĀ validity of the quota.

The bench was hearing two appeals, including one filed by J Laxman Rao Patil challenging the high court order that upheld the constitutional validity of the quota for the Maratha community in education and government jobs in Maharashtra.

Upholding the validity of Maratha quota, a Division Bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre said that the government was entitled to create a separate category for SEBCs and grant them reservations. The judges, however, broughtĀ down the quota from the proposed 16 per cent to 12 per cent in education and 13 per cent in jobs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 12, 2019 11:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).