Government has revised the creamy layer criteria for Other Backward Castes (OBC) from 4.5 lakh rupees to 6 lakh rupees to avail benefits of reservations in government jobs and admission to central educational institutions. The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet this evening. The increase in the income limit is in tune with increase in the consumer price index and would enable more persons to take advantage of reservation benefits extended to the OBCs.

The Union Cabinet today also gave its approval for the construction of a Rashtriya Smriti at the Samadhis Complex near Ekta Sthal in New Delhi. The Place will be established to perform last rites of departed national leaders namely Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers and such other leaders as decided by the Cabinet. In the past, separate memorials for departed national leaders were created near Rajghat which covered a large space.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of the Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission with the objective of conserving and restoring the heritage sites associated with Father of the Nation. The Mission would be entrusted with the identification, collation and assessment of information on Gandhi Heritage material for its management and deployment. Its task would also include determination of conservation methodology and priorities for documents and objects.

The Cabinet has also gave permission to Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) to undertake direct chartering of ships without going through the centralized chartering organization under the Ministry of Shipping and Road Transport. The decision will help in meeting the shortfall in the domestic availability of coking coal.