New Delhi: In a move that could allow reservation benefits to a larger section of Other Backward Classes (OBC), the upper income limit for the creamy layer - which is to be included from the quota system - is likely to double.
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) will submit a report in this regard to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Meira Kumar, on Tuesday.
"We will submit our recommendation on the new ceiling on Tuesday. Before this, the commission members will finalise the ceiling amount," said NCBC Secretary, Luxmi Chand.
Sources in the Commission say the NCBC has submitted its assessment report and the ceiling is likely to be fixed around Rs 5 lakh annually instead of the present Rs 2.5 lakh. The first ceiling for OBC reservation was fixed at Rs 1 lakh annually in 1993.
With prices of commodities rising manifold and the income level of OBCs rising in monetary terms, the demand to raise the ceiling is that has been pending for long.
Those OBCs belonging to the creamy layer cannot claim benefits - including reservation in jobs and professional courses - that are available to rest of the category.
The NCBC, which functions under the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment, had sought views of all state backward class commissions on the ceiling amount before submitting its report.
Meanwhile, as per directives of the Centre, the Delhi government will implement OBC reservation in its technical and higher educational institutions, beginning with five per cent from this academic session in the city.
The Delhi cabinet on Monday gave its nod to five per cent quota in admissions for OBCs in educational institutions being run by it.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Delhi Chief Minister, Shiela Dikshit stated that the present quota of reservation for SCs/STs will remain the same.
"The government will enhance the number of seats by 10 per cent. It would also ensure that OBCs get their share of 27 per cent reservation within five years of implementation of the decision. The reservation is being implemented in phases and would be fully implemented by 2012-13," she said.
Following this pattern, 27 per cent reservation to OBCs will require an increase in the total number of seats by 54 per cent, so that overall opportunities available to general category candidates do not get diminished, the Chief Minister said.
The reservation will be applicable at all levels - diploma, undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate.
She said a Bill - The Delhi Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission Bill), 2008 - will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly for the purpose.
Shiela Dikshit added that the fund for enhancing infrastructure was being worked out.
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