OBC creamy layer norms likely to be relaxed

With a large number of vacancies in government jobs meant for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) remaining unfilled for want of candidates, the government is mulling relaxing the ‘creamy layer’ criterion by raising the income ceiling to Rs 8 lakh annually.

Twenty-seven per cent of seats in government jobs and educational institutions are reserved for OBCs provided the annual income of the family is up to Rs 6 lakh. Those who earn above that are referred to as the creamy layer and are not eligible for reservation. Raising the ceiling would result in a larger pool of candidates eligible for government jobs and seats in educational institutions.

A Cabinet note is likely to be moved in this regard soon, they said. When contacted, National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) member Ashok Saini said the panel had recommended more than doubling the income ceiling to Rs 15 lakh.

“Even two decades after reservation (was introduced), out of 27 per allocated quota, it has been seen that only 12-15 per get utilised. As per our analysis, the major reason behind this is the ceiling on annual income,” Mr Saini said.

As per the Mandal Commission report, in 1980 OBCs constituted 52 per cent of India’s population. The panel’s report was based on the 1931 census. The National Sample Survey Organisation had in 2006 pegged the OBC population at 41 per cent.