The Centre is looking at a proposal to apply the same “creamy layer” income limit for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) employees working across central and state governments, public sector companies, universities, and the private sector, a report by The Indian Express said. The goal is to ensure fairness in income and in deciding who falls under the creamy layer category.
What does ‘creamy layer’ mean?
The idea of “creamy layer” in OBC reservations had come up after the SC gave verdict on 1992 Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (Mandal) case. It was introduced to exclude the more privileged sections within the OBC community from reservation benefits. The income limit was first set at Rs 1 lakh per year in 1993 for those working outside government jobs. The limit was later revised multiple times in 2004, 2008, 2013, and lastly in 2017. In 2017, the limit was increased to Rs 8 lakh per year, and that still stands.
Who is included in OBC ‘creamy layer’?
The “creamy layer” includes OBC individuals holding top government posts, senior officers in central and state services, employees in PSUs, armed forces officers, professionals, business owners, property owners, and those exceeding certain income or wealth limits.
This proposal was drafted after discussions between several ministries and organisations, including Social Justice and Empowerment, Education, Personnel and Training (DoPT), Legal Affairs, Labour and Employment, Public Enterprises, NITI Aayog, and the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), reported The Indian Express.
Why is there a need for fair ‘creamy layer’ income limit?
Some Central public sector units (PSUs) had their “equivalence” rules set in 2017, but the process was still pending for the private sector, universities, educational institutions, and various state government bodies, the IE report said.
Under the Mandal Commission recommendations, OBCs in the “non-creamy” layer get 27% reservation in Central Government jobs and educational institution admissions. In state governments, the percentage differs. And without equivalence rules, it has been difficult to issue caste certificates to OBCs.
Government may include university faculty and certain private sector jobs too
According to IE sources, the salaries of university teaching staff, including assistant professors, associate professors, and professors, generally start from Level 10 or above, which matches or exceeds Group-A government posts. The proposal suggests classifying these positions under the “creamy layer,” meaning their children would not be eligible for OBC reservation benefits.