Govt puts icing on the creamy layer

June 4: In yet another populist move, the Sena-BJP government today revised the definition of ``creamy layer'' with immediate effect. Brief...

June 4: In yet another populist move, the Sena-BJP government today revised the definition of “creamy layer” with immediate effect. Briefing mediapersons after the weekly cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi said his government has raised the income ceiling for seeking concessions under the OBC categories from Rs one lakh to Rs two lakh per year.In 1994, while defining creamy layer, the Centre had made it clear that the members of the OBC communities will not be eligible for any concessions or reservations if their annual income exceeded Rs one lakh. “We have revised the ceiling in view of the

rise in the cost of living,” Joshi said.

He said the cabinet had also decided to constitute a cabinet sub-committee headed by School Education Minister Sudhir Joshi to advice the government on its new transfer policy. Finance Minister Eknath Khadse, Rural Development Minister Anna Dange and Industries Minister Leeladhar Dake are the other members of the committee, which will submit its report within two months.

Replying to a question, Joshi said the committee will also study the transfer policy for IAS officials. “Though I have not received their proposal, I am outrightly rejecting the IAS Officers’ Association’s demand to set up a high-level committee to monitor transfers and postings,” Joshi said.

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When his attention was drawn to the charges of corruption levelled by veteran social worker Anna Hazare against some ministers, Joshi said his government will soon present a white paper on corruption and will come out with facts and figures related to these allegations.

Replying to a query, Joshi said his government is looking forward to Hazare’s scheduled meeting with the Sena chief, Bal Thackeray. Replying to another question he said that he will discuss the matter regarding Hazare’s allegations against Social Welfare Minister Baban Gholap with Thackeray soon.Joshi said the officers investigating the multi-crore CRB scam had told him that they had received several complaints from investors spread across the country.