Ahead of polls, Maharashtra government aims to increase income limit for non-creamy strata to Rs 15 lakh | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to request the central government to increase the increase income limit for the ‘non-creamy layer‘category to Rs 15 lakh per annum from the current Rs 8 lakh. This decision was taken ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are likely to take place next month.
Months before the Haryana polls, CM Nayab Singh Saini had also implemented a similar move and increased the annual income limit for creamy layers from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh. Poll experts believe that this move was crucial in helping the BJP get the SC and OBC vote in the recently concluded Haryana polls, in which the party won 48 seats.
The Cabinet also approved a draft ordinance to grant constitutional status to Maharashtra state scheduled caste commissionwhich will be presented during the next parliamentary term. The committee will have 27 approved posts.
To get reservation benefits in the OBC category, a non-creamy layer certificate is required, stating that a person’s family income is below the prescribed limit.
By raising the income ceiling, more individuals from the OBC community can become eligible for reservation benefits and government schemes. This is critical because many families, especially those with government employees whose salaries have increased as a result of the Seventh Pay Commission, are just above the current limit and thus ineligible for these benefits.
The BJP’s previous losses among OBC voters were attributed to the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota, which diluted their traditional support base. The proposed increase is aimed at addressing this disenfranchisement and restoring confidence among OBC voters that their interests are being prioritized by the government.
As Maharashtra approaches assembly elections, the move is seen as a corrective measure to win back OBC votes. The government has indicated that discussions will take place soon with the Union government to implement this change, indicating the urgency in addressing voters’ concerns.
The recent success of the BJP in Haryana, where a similar strategy helped them secure a significant number of SC and OBC votes, serves as a model for Maharashtra.