Government has approved increase in income criteria for creamy layer for excluding socially advanced persons from the purview of reservation of other backward classes from six to eight lakh rupees per annum. <br/><br/>The income limit is based on increase in consumer price index. The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet today. <br/><br/>It will enable more people to take advantage of reservation benefits extended to the OBCs in government services and in admission to Central educational institutions. <br/><br/>The Cabinet also approved norms for establishing equivalence of posts in CPSUs, banks and insurance institutions with posts in government for claiming benefit of OBC reservation. <br/><br/>It will ensure that the children of those serving in lower categories in PSUs and other institutions can get the benefit of OBC reservation on par with children of people serving in lower categories in government. <br/><br/>It will also give a more level-playing field to genuine non-creamy layer candidates. With this, the issue which was pending for nearly 24 years has been resolved.