Under 11-point programme of Chief Minister Raman Singh, applicants belonging to seven extremely backward tribes of State will be issued caste and domicile certificates during the next six months, officials stated. Revenue and Calamity Management Department Officials informed that the Department has begun to implement Chief Minister's announcement and in the same sequence, a circular has been issued on January 22 from Mantralaya to all the Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors, directing them to complete the work in given time-limit.
The seven extremely backward tribes that will be issued caste certificates in this duration are namely Pahadi Korwa, Birhor, Baiga, Kamar, Abujhmadia, Pando and Bhunjiya community. Presently total 44,311 families of these communities are residing in various tribal-populated districts of state. Number of members in these families sums up to nearly 1.94 lakh. It is noteworthy that on the occasion of completion of 12 years of his Government and also completion of two years of his third term, Chief Minister Raman Singh had announced an 11-point programme for socio-economic development of these tribal communities on December 12 in Raipur. Revenue and Calamity Management Department has stated in the circular that as per the instruction of Tribal Caste Development Department, Revenue Department has to issue caste and domicile certificates to all the members of these extremely backward communities in next two year i.e. 2016-17 and 2017-18. Revenue Department has been doing this work, and in present situation Revenue Department does not need two years for completion of this work.
Keeping in view the limited number of people belonging to these communities, this task can be completed during the next six months. It is stated in the circular that funds tribal welfare schemes run by various departments and development authorities will be utilised to meet the expenses on issuance of caste and domicile certificates. Divisional Commissioners have been directed to regularly monitor the progress of this work and ensure that the work is done on time.