Eye on OBC votes, Cabinet raises ‘creamy’ income limit

To woo OBC votes in different states, the Vajpayee Government has increased the number of eligibles by raising the income limit for the ‘creamy layer’.

The Cabinet today approved annual income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh for determining the ‘creamy layer’ or the socially advanced among OBCs from Rs 1 lakh. This would mean that children of those belonging to the middle income group would now be eligible for 27 per cent reservation in education and government jobs.

The proposal is based on recommendations of the National Commission for Backward Classes. Besides raising the income cut-off, the Cabinet also approved NCBC’s suggestion for a revision of the income criteria every three years or earlier.

The Cabinet also approved the continuation of a centrally-sponsored scheme of post-matric scholarship for ST students on the lines of those recently approved for SCs.