NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to all the states asking them to respond on whether reservation could be allowed beyond 50 percent.
The apex court was hearing a plea on validity of Maratha reservation and said that its verdict would have wider ramifications and this is why other states need to be heard.
The court will recommence the day-to-day hearing in this matter on March 15.
On December 9 last year, the apex court had said that issues pertaining to the 2018 Maharashtra law, granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs, requires “urgent hearing” as the legislation has been stayed and the “fruits accrued” are not reaching to the people.
The top court had also issued notice to the attorney general seeking his assistance in the matter.
The apex court on September 9 last year, while referring to a larger bench the batch of pleas challenging the validity of law, had stayed the implementation of the legislation but made it clear that status of those who have availed of the benefits would not be disturbed.
The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 was enacted to grant reservation to people of Maratha community in Maharashtra in jobs and admissions.
The Bombay high court, while upholding the law in June 2019, had held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable and said that quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admissions.
According to the 102nd amendment to the Constitution, reservation can be granted only if a particular community is named in the list prepared by the President.
On July 27 last year, the Maharashtra government had assured the top court that it would not proceed with the recruitment process to fill up the vacancies on the basis of 12 per cent Maratha reservation till September 15, except for departments, Public Health and Medical Education and Research.
( With agency inputs)