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