Introduces Schemes for Women and Youth Ahead of Assembly Polls
In a move to appeal to the Other Backward Class (OBC) community ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday proposed raising the annual income limit for ‘non-creamy layer’ status from the current ₹8 lakh to ₹15 lakh. This recommendation now awaits approval from the central government.
A ‘non-creamy layer’ certificate, indicating that a family’s annual income is below the prescribed limit, is essential for accessing reservation benefits under the OBC category. During the Budget Session earlier this year, following the ruling coalition’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP leader and State Minister for OBC Bahujan Welfare, Atul Save, announced that the state would push for an increase in the income limit.
If the Centre approves the increase in the income ceiling, more OBC individuals with an annual income exceeding ₹8 lakh will become eligible for reservation benefits under the OBC category. A non-creamy layer certificate, verifying a person’s income, is necessary for OBC individuals to access these reservation benefits.
On Thursday, the Cabinet approved a draft ordinance to grant constitutional status to the Maharashtra State Scheduled Caste Commission, with 27 posts sanctioned. The ordinance will be presented in the next legislative session. In its fourth meeting in three weeks, the Cabinet cleared over 40 proposals, focusing on smaller communities and minorities. It also raised the share capital of the Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Development Corporation from Rs. 700 crore to Rs. 1,000 crore and increased the monthly salary of madrasa teachers to Rs. 16,000 (D.Ed) and Rs. 18,000 (B.Ed). The Cabinet also cleared proposals to set up development corporations with share capital of Rs 50 crore for Shimi, Gavli, Ladshakhiy Vani-Vani, Lohar and Nathpanthiy communities. Two special corporations were sanctioned for journalists and newspaper sellers.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet also cleared construction of Jalna-Nanded expressway which will be linked to the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway; allotment of government land in Borivali area for the Dharavi redevelopment project; housing for employees living in the Bandra government colony; allotment of land parcels in Palghar district to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC); and setting up the Maharashtra State International Employment and Skill Advancement Company for implementation of the state’s MoU with Germany on youth employment.
According to the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC), the state’s OBC population is more than 38% of the total population. The state has 33 Assembly seats reserved for SC candidates and 14 for ST candidates.
After its setback in the Lok Sabha Elections, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured only 18 out of 48 seats, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP (Ajit Pawar) coalition has introduced several key initiatives to attract different voter groups. They have replicated the Madhya Pradesh model by launching the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ offering Rs.1,500 monthly to women aged 21-65. Additionally, under the ‘Ladka Bhau Yojana,’ students who passed 12th grade will receive ₹6,000 monthly, while those with diploma degrees will get Rs. 8,000 per month. These moves aim to win over women, youth, OBC, and ST voters ahead of the crucial assembly elections.