Speaking to reporters here, he said the step was taken as the cost of living has gone up considerably over the years. The Centre too had recently directed State governments to increase the income limit for issuing income certificates.
However, the Income Certificates can be used only for educational purposes and not for availing various welfare programmes being implemented by the State government, he added.
The Minister said a large number of SCs and STs had become ineligible to obtain Income certificates as the income limit was very low. The government’s move will benefit nearly 15 lakh people belonging to these communities. The plan is also on cards to further increase the income limit in this regard for those belonging to other communities, especially to OBCs, he added.
Release of prisoners
Narayanaswamy, who is also the Minister for Prisons, said the government would recommended to Governor H R Bhardwaj to release 105 prisoners for good conduct, on the occasion of Independence Day.
Prisoners were selected on recommendation from district advisory committees.
“We will send the list as per the rules. It is he Governor’s prerogative to release them or not,” he said, in reference to the Governor rejecting a similar recommendation earlier.