OBC quota norms likely to be relaxed

New Delhi, August 28

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.

As many as 27 per cent of vacancies in government jobs and seats in 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 becoming eligible for government jobs and seats in educational institutions.

The Social Justice Ministry is working on a proposal to raise the annual income ceiling of OBCs to Rs 8 lakh, according to official sources.

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A Cabinet note is likely to be moved in this regard soon, they said. 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 the 27 per cent allocated quota, it has been seen that only 12-15 per cent gets utilised. As per our analysis, the major reason behind this is the ceiling on annual income,” 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.  — PTI