Maha Cabinet approves revised 5 pc quota policy for meritorious sports persons

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 8 (IANS) In a major decision aimed at streamlining and unifying job recruitment for athletes across the state, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, approved a revised policy governing the 5 per cent reservation for meritorious sportspersons in government and semi-government sectors. Under the updated policy, all eligible athletes must complete the verification of their sports certificate validity within a three-month deadline. The revised policy aims to provide socio-economic security and encourage athletes who have made their mark at national and international levels. This 5 per cent parallel reservation will apply to direct recruitment across Group A, B, C, and D positions in all state government departments, district councils (Zilla Parishads), Panchayat Samitis, Gram Panchayats, municipal corporations, public sector undertakings, boards, corporations, universities, government-aided educational institutions, Ashram schools, cooperatives (such as banks and sugar factories), and any grant-in-aid voluntary organizations receiving state funding. To qualify for reservation, sports included in at least three consecutive Summer Olympic Games after 2005 are eligible. Additionally, to promote regional sports, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Chess, Mallakhamb, and Cricket have been included. The requirement of specific sports eligibility will not restrict major multi-sport events like the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Para Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games -- any sports featured during the respective year of these events will automatically qualify. Furthermore, medalists from senior, youth, and junior age groups organized by recognised associations, School Games (Under-19), Khelo India Games (Youth, University, Para), and All India Inter-University championships are eligible. To eliminate fraudulent certificates, the revised policy introduces a digital "Sports E-Certificate Automation System. Tournament organisers are now mandated to upload results with digital signatures within 7 days of the event's completion. The system utilises blockchain technology to permanently store data, rendering it tamper-proof and enabling instant verification through automated cryptographic hashing. With the introduction of this consolidated policy, all previous government resolutions (GRs) on this subject stand canceled. A fresh, comprehensive GR will be issued shortly. Candidates who were eligible under prior GRs are also required to verify their certificates within three months from the issuance date of the new GR. The list of recognised sports includes Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing & Kayaking, Cricket, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Rowing, Rugby, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball, Modern Pentathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Skateboarding, Surfing, Sport Climbing, Golf, Chess, Equestrian, Sailing, and Tennis.