Punjab Government on Tuesday made it clear that strict legal action would be initiated not only against those using “fake” certificates to receive government benefits, but also against any officer or official found involved in verifying such certificates.
Issuing a strong warning, Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot said: “Those using fake certificates to receive government benefits will not be spared at any cost, and any officer or official found involved in verifying such certificates would also face stern action.”
Dharmsot said that the Department has received a number of complaints in which candidates belonging to non-SC category have used fake certificates to get admissions in educational institutions and in some cases they have also got jobs on these certificates obtained on fake grounds.
The matter would be investigated thoroughly and would be taken to its logical ends and anyone found involved in it, would be strictly punished, he said.
The Minister added that the constitution of the country has given certain rights to the downtrodden communities to bring them at par economically and socially with other communities.
“It is for this purpose, they have been given reservation in education and government service. It is criminal for any non-SC candidate to use fake certificate and the benefit of SC certificate should only be realized by an eligible person or candidate,” he said.
“In view of complaints received in the Department, officers have been asked to investigate the same which would be completed very soon and FIR would be filed against those culprits and their appointments would be cancelled immediately,” he said.
The Minister said that officers have been asked to ascertain which candidates have used fake certificates to get jobs.
At the same time, he also appealed to all those persons who have made fake certificates should willingly intimate and deposit their certificates with the issuing authority and also inform district welfare officer in writing. “Government would keep a sympathetic view towards such candidates if they disclose voluntarily,” he said while adding that in case, a person is found guilty in investigation, stringent actions under provisions of Indian Penal Code would be taken against him and the certificate is eligible for cancellation.