November 1, 2000 should be considered as the cut-off date for issuance of caste certificates. This appeal was made by Minister of State for Narmada Valley Development and General Administration during a meeting with Union Minister for Social Justice Thawarchand Gehlot in New Delhi on Tuesday. Gehlot lauded the work of digitisation of caste certificates in Madhya Pradesh.
Arya informed the Union Minister that at present the condition for issuing SC and ST caste certificates is that they should be staying in Madhya Pradesh since 1950. This condition is erroneous. Due to it, technical difficulties are being experienced in issuance of caste certificates to weaker sections. He said that Madhya Pradesh Government is making constant efforts since year 2005 with the Central Government to get this discrepancy removed.
The MoS for General Administration urged cut-off date for issuing permanent caste certificates for domiciles of Madhya Pradesh should be declared as November 1, 2000 or before following inception of Chhattisgarh State.
Gehlot said that not only Madhya Pradesh, similar problems are being experienced in other States too. He assured to solve this problem soon. The Government wishes that SC and ST people get caste certificates at the earliest so that they can avail maximum benefits of the schemes. He lauded digitisation of caste certificates issued to SC and ST people in Madhya Pradesh. He said that it is good that people will not have to take rounds of offices repeatedly after issuance of permanent caste certificates.
Principal Secretary General Administration K Suresh and Madhya Pradesh's Residential Commissioner in Delhi Prakash Unhale were also present on the occasion.