Government employees may face action for not verifying caste certificates

NEW DELHI: Central and state government employees may face disciplinary action for defaulting in timely verification of caste certificates issued to SC or ST category people, as per the new guidelines being finalised by the Centre.

All states will also have to put in place a process to check within a definite time frame genuineness of caste certificates issued to those belonging to reserved class in order to prevent unscrupulous persons from taking jobs meant for them, if the guidelines are implemented.

The Department of Personnel and Training ( DoPT) has finalised draft instructions regarding streamlining of the process for verification of claims of candidates belonging Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

All District Magistrates, Collectors and Deputy Commissioners have been already asked to ensure at their own level the veracity of caste certificates so that unscrupulous non-SC, ST or OBC persons are prevented from securing jobs meant for SCs, STs and OBCs by producing false certificates.

The states will have to complete the caste verification strictly within the stipulated time while maintaining the genuineness in the proceedings.

"Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against officers who default in timely verification of caste status in such cases or issue false certificates," the draft instructions said.

All central government ministries and states have been asked to send their comments by January 8, next year so that the policy is finalised for implementation.