Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS) West Bengal has decided to raise the maximum age level for those applying for government jobs in group C and D category by eight years for general candidates, and by three years for reserved candidates, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Friday.

“The maximum age level for general candidates applying for government jobs in Group C and D has been raised by eight years which takes it to 40 from the current 32,” Banerjee said at the state secretariat, Writers’ Buildings, after a cabinet meeting.

“For the reserved categories, the age limit has also increased by three years. Now the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates can apply till 45 years while the candidates from other backward classes (OBC) and physically handicapped can now apply till 43 years of age,” she said.

Calling the decision as “revolutionary”, she said it will allow people of the state to get jobs.

“It is a revolutionary decision. We have already created 275,000 government jobs which in the next few years will go up to at least five lakhs. This decision will enable many people to get government jobs and secure their lives.”

Banerjee said the decision should have been taken much earlier but blamed the erstwhile Left Front government for delaying the step.

“The decision should have been taken much earlier. But the previous government’s indulgence in partycracy hindered it for which then youth of the state had to suffer,” she added.

Banerjee did not specify as to when the decision will come into effect but said it will take some time for the formalities to take place.