Maharashtra to raise non-creamy layer cap for OBCs

Non-creamy layer cap for OBCs

to be raised in a month: Moghe

* Oppn corners Govt over OBC, EBC scholarships

Staff Reporter
In a show of unity, the Opposition parties cornered the Democratic Front (DF) Government accusing it of being anti-OBC over the issue of delay in release of scholarships to OBC students. In response, Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe said that non-creamy layer income cap for Other Backward Classes (OBC) students would be raised in a month. He also assured to scrap two Government Resolutions.
The issue of scholarships for OBC and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) students came up for heated debate during call attention motion by Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress), Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) and other members in Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Fadnavis said that income limit criteria for OBC and EBC students was not raised appropriately for several years. The members alleged that the State Government was not interested in continuing with the scholarship scheme. When the Centre had raised income limit to Rs 6 lakh per annum for non-creamy layer for OBC, the State had raised it to only Rs 4.5 lakh per annum, they alleged. Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse accused the Government of being anti-OBC.
In response, Moghe said that post-matriculation scholarship for OBC students was a Centrally-funded scheme but the Centre did not release funds. Hence, State Government was making available funds from budgetary allocations. For the year 2013-14, an amount of Rs 1,780 crore was required for disbursement of OBC scholarships, of which Rs 1,026 crore was budgeted. For remaining amount, supplementary demand was made during ongoing winter session. So far, scholarships worth Rs 535 crore were distributed and order for distribution of remaining amount would be issued in two days, he added. He denied the allegations of reducing non-creamy layer income cap to Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.

Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Eknath Khadse addressing the media after the Opposition staged walk-out in protest of Presiding Officer Nawab Malik’s stand. Also seen are Devendra Fadnavis and others. (Pic by Satish Raut)

Still, as the Opposition members were not content with the reply, they stormed into well. Wadettiwar demanded dismissal of Banthiya Committee appointed in August 2013 to look into income cap issue, and urged the Government to issue fresh GR raising the income cap to Rs 6 lakh per annum. As the Opposition members continued with aggressive stand, Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke asked them not to politicise the issue. Taking cognisance of the Opposition’s sentiments, Moghe assured to raise income cap within a month and also to scrap two GRs -- one pertaining to income cap of Rs 4.5 lakh per annum, and another regarding constitution of Banthiya Committee to look into the matter.
Mungantiwar asked if the Government would release scholarship dues during this session. To this, Moghe said that his department had moved demand but the Finance Department did not make desired allocation. “But, the provision for remaining amount would be made in State Budget,” he said. This irked Khadse, who accused Moghe of giving the same reply repeatedly. He asked if the Government would initiate action against educational institutions cancelling admissions to students for want of release of scholarships. Moghe replied in positive but said that the Government did not reimburse scholarship amount to deemed universities.

Oppn stages walkout

During the course of discussion, there were heated arguments between the Presiding Officer Nawab Malik and Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse, MLA Devendra Fadnavis. Khadse accused Malik of not letting the Opposition members speak. To this, Malik reminded Khadse of procedure to be followed during call attention motion. “Do not make a speech, ask question if you have,” he said.

In another instance, Fadnavis rose and asked Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe to clarify the Government’s position on EBC scholarships. Malik snubbed Fadnavis saying, “You do not act in accordance to the laid down procedures in the House.” This irked the Opposition members and they stormed into the well. Malik asked them to go back to their seats and said that they should not try to dictate terms to the House or the minister.

As the Opposition members Fadnavis, Khushal Bopche, Gopal Shetty, Prakash Shendge, Krishna Khopde, Sardar Tara Singh, Mungantiwar, Sanjay Kute, Vijayraj Shinde, and Sambhaji Pawar were still in the well, Malik remarked, “Such type of functioning might be allowed in BJP office, not here.” There was uproar from the Opposition members. Eknath Khadse said, “We may have to got to the Speaker. The Opposition is unable to participate in the House proceedings when Nawab Malik is in chair. He speaks more than the ministers.” In protest, Khadse announced walkout of the Opposition members. 

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on December 12, 2013.)