Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved the implementation of a revised policy to bring coherence and uniformity in 5% reservation for proficient sportspersons and athletes in government, semi-government and other public sector jobs in the state.Maharashtra had introduced a 5% reservation for sportspersons in 2005.“In order to bring coherence and consistency in the policy regarding 5% reservation for jobs, all the previous government decisions have been cancelled and the decision regarding the consolidated revised policy will be published soon. As per the provisions of the previous GRs, the sports candidates who are eligible for reservation will also be required to verify the validity of their sports certificates within a period of three months from the date of issue of the revised GR,” officials said.Games included three consecutive Olympics (summer) since 2005, and indigenous sports like kabaddi, kho-kho, chess, mallakhamb and cricket will be eligible for reservation. “Besides these, sports included in the Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Paralympic Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will also be eligible. The sports included in these games will be eligible for reservation in the year in which these games are held,” officials said.Players of senior, youth, and junior age groups will be eligible for reservation. Games in school (under 19 age group) and Khelo India sports competitions, youth, university and para games, games in All India Inter-University competitions will also be eligible.“In this revised policy, sports e-certificate is being implemented through an automated digital system. This will curb bogus certificates,” said officials.In this system, it will be mandatory to upload the results with a digital signature within seven days of the end of the competition. “Due to blockchain technology, the data is being saved permanently and no manipulation is possible in it and the authenticity will be verified instantly through automated cryptographic hash,” they added.
