Panel OK with plan to include salary in OBC ‘creamy layer’ test

NEW DELHI: In an about face, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is learnt to have dropped its opposition to the government proposal to include “salary” in the “income test” to decide if an OBC belongs to the “creamy layer”, setting the stage for a major review of the criteria for availing Mandal reservations.
In recent internal meetings, NCBC agreed with the proposal which states that “salaries” will be factored in for the “income test” to decide “creamy layer” — the category of OBCs which is seen as “well off” and thus ineligible for 27% job and education quotas.Presently, as per the 1993 official memorandum which lays down the norms for creamy layer, “salary” and “agricultural income” are not part of the “income test”. The tweaking of the criteria to decide the “well-off” among the OBCs will mark a watershed in the Mandal reservations.
Calculating “gross family income” based on “salary” will make a backward breach the threshold beyond which he is ineligible for quotas. A final decision is likely to be taken soon after which NCBC will convey its view on the cabinet note moved by the ministry of social justice and empowerment.
Curiously, NCBC viewed the proposal in March as inimical to the interests of the backward castes and conveyed to the government its hostile view in a detailed note. At the same time, the Centre proposes to increase the annual income ceiling for determining the “creamy layer” from the present Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh, a move which will be favourable for the OBCs.