Mumbai, Apr 8 (PTI): The Bombay High Court today directed Maharashtra government to fill on ad hoc basis the vacancies for the post of teachers and professors in colleges and educational institutions, which were reserved under the 16 per cent quota for Marathas.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice G S Kulkarni questioned the reason behind the posts lying vacant despite the court staying implementation of the 16 per cent reservation to Marathas.

In November 2014, the high court had stayed implementation of the controversial decision of the erstwhile Congress-NCP government to provide 16 per cent reservation to Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions.

The bench was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations filed soon after the decision was taken by the government.

"When we have stayed implementation of the reservation, then why are the posts not filled up yet? Fill up the posts and employ people on a 11-month contract period or till the petitions are heard and disposed of finally (whichever comes earlier)," the court directed today.

The court further held that from the next academic year the government should not enforce the 16 per cent Maratha reservation in admissions in colleges across the state.

The court has posted the petitions for further hearing in July.

While staying the 16 per cent Maratha reservation, the court had cited the Supreme Court ruling under which reservation cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total seats.