TISS report ‘not hostile’ to Dhangar demand: CM

Says the state govt will send ‘appropriate’ reccomendations to the Centre based on it

The report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) with regard to the Dhangar community’s pitch for a scheduled tribe (ST) status is “not hostile to the demand”, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said. Fadnavis said the state government would make “appropriate” recommendations to the Centre based on the report, which he added, is being currently studied. He said the report mentions several aspects which strengthen the case of the Dhangars. He, however, did not divulge details of the report. Dhangars are currently included in the Vimukt Jati nomadic tribe category, but they have been demanding the ST status for long. The chief minister also said his government expected the State Backward Class Commission to submit its report in connection with the Maratha community’s demand for quota in jobs and education by November 15. The Marathas form 30 per cent of the state’s population, and the Dhangars nine per cent. On the Dhangar community’s demand, Fadnavis said a call would have to be taken by the Centre and not the state government. On the Maratha community’s demand, he said the government “will act per timeline”. MMB

Source: Mumbai Mirror, 31/10/2018