Maharashtra Clears 3.16 Lakh Kunbi Certificates in Marathwada Drive
The Maharashtra government has expedited the process of issuing Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi, and Kunbi-Maratha certificates across the Marathwada region to support the Maratha reservation process. A total of 3,16,977 certificates have been granted out of 3,17,569 applications received so far, Industries and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant announced while addressing reporters at the Smart City office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Speaking on the ongoing administrative drive, Minister Uday Samant assured that the state government remains firmly committed to maintaining complete transparency throughout the certification process. He emphasized that the overarching objective is to provide members of the Maratha community with a legal and sustainable reservation.
The certification campaign is being actively accelerated across all eight districts that make up the Marathwada region. These districts include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Beed, Latur, and Dharashiv. Minister Samant specified that out of the total clearances, 2,95,305 certificates have been distributed specifically in connection with the 10 per cent reservation quota.
Providing a detailed update on caste verification procedures, Samant reported that competent authorities across the region have received 21,051 applications. Of those received, 16,110 cases have been successfully cleared and had certificates issued. Rejections remained minimal, with only 64 applications—representing approximately 0.3 per cent—being turned down, while the remaining files continue to be processed.
To aid citizens with their applications, the state administration has identified 57 lakh historical records and made them accessible to the general public. To facilitate local access, the government will organize special documentation camps at the gram panchayat level from September 10 to September 17. These local camps are intended to help citizens review the historical records and complete all necessary paperwork.
Minister Samant also stated that the Justice Shinde Committee officially commenced its tour of Marathwada on September 7. The state administration has been closely reviewing the drive's progress in active coordination with district officials and regional caste verification committees.
Furthermore, Samant explained that the distribution of certificates based on the historical Hyderabad Gazetteer has already begun. The state government plans to seek the formal legal opinion of the Advocate General regarding related applications. In addition, the minister noted that the state government has taken a positive stance on implementing the Satara and Kolhapur Gazetteers.
