Supernumerary posts, caste validity
The government also considered the creation of supernumerary posts for Scheduled Tribe candidates in light of a 2017 Supreme Court judgment.
Uike said the number of such posts would be determined within three months and the process would be completed within six months.
The students also raised concerns about candidates who obtained government jobs without submitting caste validity certificates within the stipulated period.
They claimed that some candidates appointed in 2018, 2019 and 2020 continued in government service despite failing to submit the required certificates within six months.
According to the student representatives, Fadnavis assured them that action against such candidates would begin from Sunday, including removal from service wherever applicable.
Audit of tribal residential schools
The government has also directed third-party audits of aided and government-run tribal residential schools to identify deficiencies and ensure corrective action.
The students had raised concerns about infrastructure and facilities at these schools following the deaths of the three tribal girls in Gadchiroli.
Another contentious issue was the central kitchen system. The government has constituted a committee to examine the matter, with its report expected within 15 days to a month. The chief minister will take a final decision after considering the report, the students said.
The government also agreed to cancel the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, according to the protesting students.
Students thank supporters
Student representatives said they were satisfied with the outcome of their meeting with the chief minister, particularly because the government had provided a time-bound programme for addressing their demands.
They credited the support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar, state Congress leader Yashomati Thakur and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) with helping draw wider attention to their concerns.
“The increased media coverage compelled the government to take note of our demands,” the representatives said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bombay High Court directed the state government to ensure the well-being of the students on hunger strike.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad said it did not want any more young lives to be lost.
The protests are expected to be called off later on Saturday following the government’s acceptance of the demands and the assurances given to the student representatives.
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