Mumbai (The Hindu): The State government on Thursday moved a civil application before the Bombay High Court seeking permission to temporarily fill the posts under the 16% Maratha reservation.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni was hearing a bunch of petitions and public interest litigations on the 16% Maratha reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.

The application said the contracts of posts filled under the reservation have come to an end and need to be temporarily extended. The court asked all the parties to file their reply and adjourned the matter to May 3. In 2015, the HC had stayed the government’s decision to grant reservation and had held that the Maratha community cannot be regarded as a backward class. The National Commission for Backward Class and the Mandal Commission had concluded that the community is socially advanced.

Previously, the Bench had asked whether the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes can decide the matter.

The court said it would be better if the commission hears this matter first as it is an expert body and will be able to give a comprehensive report. The Bench said once the report reaches them, it will assist the court to decide the matter.