India, March 2 -- The Maharashtra government has formed a six-member study committee helmed by retired high court judge M L Tahaliyani to examine whether the Banjara community can be included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category for reservation in education and jobs. An order to this effect was issued by the state tribal development department on Saturday.

The Banjaras, who currently enjoy a reservation of 3% under the Vimukta Jati or nomadic tribes category, have been pushing for inclusion in the ST category, which will increase their reservation to 7%. The demand was raised soon after the state government accepted the Hyderabad Gazette as a valid document to prove the Kunbi credentials of the Maratha community and grant them benefits ...