Get caste, income certificates hassle-free from next month

NEW DELHI: From next month, getting caste, income, marriage, domicile certificates will be "hassle-free" with the Delhi government simplifying procedure for 12 services which include no need of affidavit, only self attestation and introduction of stringent law for making mis-use of the facility.

The certificates which one will get hassle free from the next month include OBC, SC/ST, domicile, disability card, income, solvency, surviving, death order, marriage registration, birth order and lal dore certificate.

The government will table the proposal in the next Cabinet meeting.

"From December 1, Government has decided to simplify procedure of getting various certificates. However, government will make also provision in law to strictly punish those who give false information in their applications," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said here.

He said that for example, at present for getting OBC certificate, applicant has to give proof of verification in Delhi since 1993 required in every case, but from December 1, no proof will be required if a certificate has been issued to any relative from parental side.

Besides, no field verification will be required for OBC, SC/ST certificates and for Income Certificate, no attestation will be required from Gazetted officer and instead, only self attestation will be enough.

The government has decided to come down heavily on applicants who make false declaration. It proposes to make false declaration a cognizable office. At present, this act is non-cognisable offence and offender can face an imprisonment of upto six months or a fine of Rs 1,000 or both.

A senior officer said that to curb misuse of the facility, government will propose amendments in Sections 177 and 199 of IPC under which making false information will be cognizable offence.

"It is a state subject of amending Section 177 and 199 of IPC. Government will bring this amendment in the upcoming Assembly Session," the official also said.