In response to the ongoing Maratha protest led by Manoj Jarange, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has mobilized over 1,000 additional personnel to conduct an extensive survey on the socio-economic backwardness of the Maratha community in Pune City. The administration’s swift action aims to gauge the community’s status in both urban and rural areas.
PMC officials revealed that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is closely monitoring the situation, prompting nonstop efforts from PMC staff to expedite the survey process.
The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, seeking an in-depth analysis, has urged local organizations to provide more personnel for the survey. PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar issued a directive, resulting in the deployment of 1,070 additional workers who are currently undergoing training for the task. This supplements the initial workforce of around 5,000 workers assigned to the survey.
However, challenges have surfaced during the survey, with PMC officials reporting that employees are encountering obstacles in entering big housing societies. Security guards are requesting them to seek permission from society office bearers, leading to delays. To address this, certain housing societies have been requested to provide formal letters granting access.
The survey, designed to cover 75 to 80 homes per employee, is facing hurdles as, on average, only 45 to 50 homes are being surveyed daily. Much of the time is spent explaining the survey’s purpose to residents and obtaining necessary permissions.
