PUNJAB CM OKAYS HIKE IN `CREAMY LAYER’ INCOME CAP FOR OBCs FROM RS.6 LAKH TO RS.8 LAKH

Chandigarh, October 20, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today approved increase in the gross annual income limit for the creamy layer of the Other Backward Classes/Backward Classes from Rs.6 lakh to Rs.8 lakh.

The decision is in line with the Government of India’s directive to ensure greater social justice and inclusion of members of the Other Backward Classes/Backward Classes in the matter of reservation. The Union Cabinet had, in August this year, decided to raise the income limit from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per annum for determining the creamy layer among the Other Backward Classes.

This was the fourth revision of the creamy layer, which was fixed at Rs one lakh in 1993 and subsequently hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2004, Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008 and Rs 6 lakh came in 2013. The move was reported to be aimed at ensuring more equitable distribution of reservation benefits among the OBCs.

The Chief Minister’s approval on the decision to raise the income cap from Rs 6 lac to Rs. 8 lac came this morning, an official spokesperson disclosed, adding that decks have now been cleared for issuance of the necessary notification by the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Minorities.