Govt to split 1% reservation between institutional and non-institutional orphans

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government modified it and added the category of non-institutional orphans living with their relatives in relatively well-off conditions. The Shinde-Fadnavis government has now further modified the decision and split the reservation in equal ratio to the orphans brought up in CCI and one living with relatives.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to split the 1% reservation for orphans to give equal benefit to institutional and non-institutional orphans in jobs and education. State cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to the decision, which will prove beneficial to over 2,176 registered orphans in the state.

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The Fadnavis government had in 2018 given the 1% parallel reservation in education and jobs to the institutional or ‘naked’ orphans, who were brought up in the child care institutions (CCI).

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government modified it and added the category of non-institutional orphans living with their relatives in relatively well-off conditions. The Shinde-Fadnavis government has now further modified the decision and split the reservation in equal ratio to the orphans brought up in CCI and one living with relatives.

“It was noticed that after the MVA government decision in August 2021, the non-institutional orphans living with relatives took off most of the benefits in education and jobs. These orphans were the ones living with their relatives had the social reservation in SC/ST, OBC category and were well off because of the adequate resources left behind by parents before their deaths,” said BJP MLC Shrikant Bharatiya, who runs Tarpan Foundation for orphans.

There are 2,176 registered orphans in the state, though the actual number is expected to be over 6,000. Covid-19 pandemic left over 850 children below 18 years orphaned. These children are expected to get the benefits of the decision. The decision will be applicable for the orphans who had applied for job or seats in educational institution before November 1, 2022.

The woman and child welfare department of the government will issue the order related to the eligibility criteria, conditions, guidelines.

“Though the on-record number who have been given certificates is 2,176, the actual number is over 6,000 as the remaining are facing technical difficulties due to various factors,” said Bharatiya.