GOVERNMENT SETTING UP SOON COMMITTEE
FOR REVIEW OF THE CREAMY LAYER CRITERIA AMONG OBCs
The government will
soon set up a committee to review the criteria for determining
creamy layer among Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This was announced
by the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan
Jatiya while addressing the media persons at the conference of
Editors on Social Sector Issues here today. At present persons
having gross annual income of Rs 1 lakh or above are excluded
from reservation benefits accruing to the OBCs. The government
has been receiving representations for revision of annual income
limit of Rs 1 lakh laid down for the purpose about a decade back.
The Supreme Court, while upholding the reservation for OBCs in
government services, excluded the creamy layer and directed the
government to review the criteria every ten years.
Replying to a question
on extension of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs in private sector,
Dr. Jatiya said the government is considering ways and means for
its effective implementation. Referring to the announcements made
by the Prime Minister on Independence Day for the welfare of marginalised
and disadvantaged sections of society, the Minister said the government
would soon set up two new commissions. One of the Commissions
would be for rehabilitation and empowerment of disabled people.
The Commission would recommend specific programmes of action for
facilitating full participation of the disabled in the social
and economic life of the country. It would submit its report annually,
which along with Action Taken Report would be presented to Parliament.
Dr. Jatiya said the
other Commission to be set up would study the problems of Denotified
Communities and Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Communities in order
to bring them into the mainstream of national life. These communities,
because of their shifting residence have been left aside from
the mainstream of development. He said the government would soon
set-up 100 Social Justice Centres in select districts of the country.
These centres would facilitate rehabilitation of target groups.
Training programmes will be organised in these centres for rehabilitation
of aged persons, children in distress and persons with disabilities.
They would also help in creating awareness about various schemes
aimed at empowerment and economic upliftment of the marginalised
sections and help the beneficiaries in availing these schemes.
The centres will also provide aids and appliances and rehabilitation
services upto village level, which includes organizing welfare
camps for the disabled.
