Fake caste certificates rampant in Karnataka

Almost 600,000 fake caste certificates cases filed before the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe Commission

More than half-a-million people have reportedly been enjoying reservation benefits using fake caste certificates in Karnataka, said state Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe Commission Chairman Basanna Chalvadi.

He said almost 600,000 such cases have been filed before the commission.

Talking to media in Dharwad on Wednesday, Chalvadi said the commission has been acting as a fact-finding committee and was looking into the details of the complaints regarding fake caste certificates.

In majority of the cases, the petitioners claimed that fake caste certificates were being issued at taluk level for service sector and also to get benefits meant for SC/ST.

The commission has been empowered to hold a detailed probe into the issue and recommend the government on actions against officials issuing fake caste certificates. More than 32 government departments come under the ambit of the commission. Last year, the commission had imposed hefty penalties against willful negligence of officials, he added.

The commission has been touring all district headquarters to evaluate the reality in implementation of the schemes meant for SCs and Sts. So far, the commission has toured and received petitions from four districts. Majority of the petitions pertain to lack of land for cremation, drinking water problems in slum areas and delay in issuing title deeds, he informed.

The commission has been strictly monitoring the lapses of funds under the 22.75 per cent and 24.10 per cent scheme.

To bring the community to the mainstream of the society and empower them with education and self employment, the social welfare department, zilla panchayat, city municipal council and urban local bodies have been directed to use the funds to hold vocation6al training workshops and training programmes. This apart, there are large numbers of schemes for self-employment, too.

However, people from the community had complained that several urban local bodies and zilla panchayats were diverting the funds under this scheme for other works leaving the areas where SC/STs live in large numbers in pathetic condition.

To bring transparency into fund distribution and see that the schemes reach the target group, the government, based on recommendations of the commission, has introduced single-window system. Under this system, a standing committee has been formed to monitor the fund disbursement. Social welfare department will act as a nodal agency here.

This year, the government has disbursed funds to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore under the 22.75 per cent scheme and 24.10 per cent schemes. Deputy Commissioner of the respective district would be made the chairman of the district-level standing committee and has been given powers to file cases against any official trying to divert funds, said Chalvadi.

Answering a query, Chalvadi said there are more number of cases regarding delay in promotion in service sector and in filling backlog posts Dharwad. The commission has asked the petitioners to file cases with it, which in turn, will submit a detailed report to the state government in a month.