Haryana hikes OBC creamy layer limit, implements new quota
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New income limit and reservation implemented
Ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, the state government has raised the income limit for the creamy layer of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh.
Additionally, 5% reservation has been implemented for the OBC-B category in panchayati raj institutions and municipalities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced these changes at the Pichhda Varg Samman Sammelan programme in Mahendragarh.
Political strategy and leadership change
OBCs constitute about 40% of Haryana's population and the BJP has taken strategic steps to secure its votes. In March, the party replaced Manohar Lal with OBC leader Nayab Saini as the chief minister.
Amit Shah urged the OBC community to support the BJP for a full majority government in the upcoming elections.
Criticism of Congress
Shah has criticized the Congress, saying that it is 'anti-OBC' and opposes the Mandal Commission. He also reacted to the Haryana Congress' 'Haryana Maange Hisaab' campaign and demanded accountability from the Congress for its 10 years of rule.
Karnataka Bill provides for 50% quota for local residents in management positions
New appointment quota approved
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka State Employment Bill, 2024 for local candidates in industries, factories and other establishments, under which industries, factories and other establishments will have to appoint local candidates in 50% of management positions and 75% of non-management positions.
The Bill was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 15 and is expected to be introduced in the ongoing legislature session.
Definition and requirements of a local candidate
A local candidate should have the following qualifications -
- Born in Karnataka.
- Residing in the state for 15 years.
- Proficient in Kannada language and must have passed the required test conducted by the nodal agency.
- Candidates must have a secondary school certificate with Kannada or pass the Kannada proficiency test.
Training and exemption provisions
If qualified local candidates are not available, establishments must collaborate with the government to train local candidates within three years.
Establishments can apply for exemption but the local recruitment quota cannot be less than 25% for management and 50% for non-management positions. Penalties for non-compliance range from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
Defence equipment worth Rs 1,048 crore to be procured from Indian entities
New indigenisation list announced
The Defence Ministry on Tuesday notified the fifth positive indigenisation list, comprising 346 items for defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs).
The list includes major line replacement units, systems, sub-systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, spares, components and raw materials, aimed at substituting imports worth Rs 1,048 crore.
These items will be procured exclusively from Indian industries following specified indigenisation timelines.
Massive indigenisation effort
This list adds to the indigenisation lists of 509 items already notified by the Department of Military Affairs. As of June, DPSUs and Service Headquarters (SHQs) have offered over 36,000 defense items for indigenisation.
Over 12,300 items have been indigenised in the last three years, securing orders worth a total of ₹7,572 crore for the domestic vendor.
Major DPSUs included
The DPSUs participating in the fifth indigenisation list include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, BEML Limited, India Optel Limited, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited and Hindustan Shipyard Limited.