Income limit to determine creamy layer be hiked: Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the government was of the view that income limit to determine "creamy layer" among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) eligible for reservation should be raised from the existing limit of Rs 4.5 lakhs.

Considering the present inflation rate and other factors, income limit to determine 'creamy layer' should be raised, Chandy said while replying to a calling attention moved by K Muhammedunni Haji (IUML) in the Assembly.

Chandy said the state has not received any official information from the Centre with regard to raising the income limit as recommended by a Union Cabinet sub-committee that looked into the issue.

However, it has been learnt from media reports that the Centre would fix the income limit to determine creamy layer in OBC to Rs six lakh, Chandy pointed out.

Haji wanted to fix the income limit to Rs 12 lakh in urban areas and Rs nine lakh in rural areas as suggested by National Commission for Backward Classes.

In 1993, when the creamy layer was introduced, it was Rs one lakh. Subsequently, in 2004 it was revised to Rs 2.5 lakh and to Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008.