New Delhi: In a landmark move months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has today in cabinet meeting decided a ten per cent reservation in jobs and education for those belonging to the economically deprived sections of the general category.

The government plans to amend the Constitution to introduce the change. The amendment will breach the 50 per cent cap on reservations and increase it to 60 per cent.

Those whose family income is below Rs 8 lakhs per annum and belong to the upper castes will be eligible for the reservation, the reports said.

The move is being seen as a step to consolidate the upper caste votes just ahead of the general elections.

Criteria for Reservation to economically deprived Upper Caste could be:

1) Annual income > 8 lakhs
2) Agricultural land > 5 hectare
3) Residential > 1000 sq ft
4) Residential plot > 109 yards in notified municipality.
5) Residential plot > 209 yards in non notified municipality area

Note: There’s no official announcement yet on this.