Big relief to Socially, Educationally Backward Classes in employment, admissions

Jammu: The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here Friday under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik approved enhancement in the income ceiling from Rs 4.50 lakh to Rs 8 lakh in respect of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes for availing reservation benefits as per provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.
Advisors to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Kewal Kumar Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to Governor, Umang Narula attended the meeting.
As per provisions of the Act, reservation in employment and admissions in professional institutions, among others is provided to the persons belonging to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes categorized as Weak and Underprivileged Classes (Social Castes), Residents of Areas adjoining Actual Line of Control and Residents of Backward Areas. However, there is an income bar/ceiling for availing this reservation. The objective of prescribing the income ceiling in the Act is to prevent such persons, as have crossed or shall cross the threshold level of backwardness commonly known as ‘Creamy Layer’ from availing benefits of reservation under the categories of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
The ceiling income which existed at Rs 3 lakh earlier was raised to Rs 4 lakh in September, 2012.
The demand for raising the limit of income ceiling has been repeatedly raised by the Members of the backward classes through the State Advisory Board for the welfare and development of other classes and other associations. With a view to examine the enhancement in the income ceiling, a four Member Committee was constituted by the government which recommended enhancement of the income ceiling from Rs 4.5 Lakh to Rs 8 Lakh.
The SAC decision will immensely benefit large population belonging to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes for their inclusion within the ambit of reservation to reap various benefits available under the said Act/Rules.