Maharashtra Cabinet pushes to raise non-creamy layer income limit ahead of polls

The move by the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition in Maharashtra comes ahead of the Assembly polls. 

In Short

• Proposal aims to increase threshold from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh
• Decision made ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections
• Cabinet also approves ordinance for State Scheduled Caste Commission

The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra Cabinet decided to request the central government to raise the income limit for the 'non-creamy layer' classification. The proposal seeks to increase the current income threshold from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per annum, allowing more individuals to qualify for reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

This comes ahead of the Assembly election in Maharashtra, which is expected to go to polls by the end of this year.

The state cabinet's decision, made during a meeting on Thursday, aims to extend reservation benefits to a larger section of society.

This request to the Union government comes as a response to the rising demands for more inclusive eligibility criteria for the non-creamy layer, especially for those who do not fall into the economically advanced category.

Apart from this, the Maharashtra Cabinet has also approved a draft ordinance to grant constitutional status to the Maharashtra State Scheduled Caste Commission. The ordinance will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session, and 27 posts have been sanctioned for the commission to strengthen its functioning.

The move by the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition in Maharashtra comes ahead of the Assembly polls.

(With inputs from PTI)