Employees to face action for issuing false caste certificates

The move comes after instances of appointments to government jobs of candidates belonging to reserved and backward classes being withheld or delayed due to pending caste certificate verification. 

It is advised that in order to discourage unscrupulous activities, state governments and union territories may consider issue of appropriate instructions for initiating disciplinary proceedings against the errant officers who default in timely verification of caste certificates or who issue false certificates, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in a directive issued to Chief Secretaries of all States. 

Owing to difficulties faced by candidates belonging to these reserved communities in various states in securing employment due to delays in obtaining caste certificates, states have already been asked to provide provisional appointment to them. 

Therefore, it has been directed that in the situation where a candidate belonging to a SC, ST and OBC is unable to produce a certificate from any of the prescribed authorities, he or she may be appointed provisionally on the basis of whatever prima facie proof he or she has subject to his or her furnishing the prescribed certificate within a reasonable time, the order said. 

States have also been asked to issue instructions to district magistrates, district collectors and deputy commissioners 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 reserved and backward categories by producing false certificates. “Timely and effective verification of caste status is necessary,” the DoPT said.