In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Maharashtra government has proposed raising the income limit for the non-creamy layer category. The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has requested the central government to increase the current threshold from ₹8 lakh to ₹15 lakh per annum. This would enable more people to avail of reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
This decision comes as the state heads towards the Assembly elections, expected to be held later this year. The cabinet’s aim is to extend reservation benefits to a larger section of society. The proposal was made in response to growing demands for more inclusive eligibility criteria for the non-creamy layer, particularly for those who do not fall under the economically advanced category.
In addition, the Maharashtra Cabinet has also approved a draft ordinance to grant constitutional status to the Maharashtra State Scheduled Caste Commission. The ordinance, which will be presented in the upcoming legislative session, sanctions 27 posts to strengthen the commission’s operations.
This move by the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition in Maharashtra is seen as a strategic step ahead of the Assembly elections.
