Bangalore: Karnataka Government today decided
to amend the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointments) Act-1990 making issuance of fake caste certificates a cognisable offence.
A bill to amend the act would be introduced in the next
legislature session, Minister for Social Welfare A
Narayanaswamy told reporters here.
Those officials who were found guilty of issuing fake caste
certificates would attract six months imprisonment and Rs
50,000 fine or both in the amended act to curb the practices
of "mechanically" issuing caste certificates and validity
certifificates without proper verification.
Those who obtain such certificates would also attract similar punishment, besides cancellation of admissions and appointments secured by them, he said.
The government decided to effect amendments to the act
following complaints that members of some backward classes
obtained caste certificates to get reservation benefits in
employment.
Narayanaswamy said some of the OBC castes like Bhoyi,
Bhoi, Bovi, Moger, Dasri and Kormasetty got certificates
claiming as Scheduled Castes.
Communities like Parivara, Parivara Nayaka, Meda and
Kuruba secured Scheduled Tribe certificate claiming that they
belong to Nayak, Medara, Medri, Kadu Kurba and Jenu Kuruba,
he said.
PTI
