Now, in UP, get a caste certificate along with birth certificate

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered that caste certificate be issued along with the birth certificate of a new-born within 15 days of an application being made. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Till now only birth certificate was issued at the time of a child’s birth and caste certificates were usually issued on demand. Also, the caste certificate will have lifetime validity.

To be issued in 15 days

At a child’s birth, an applicant will have to submit a request to the tehsildar concerned in the prescribed format along with a certificate from a gram pradhan or ward member. Two witnesses must certify the person’s caste. The tehsildar will get an inquiry report from the revenue inspector, based on which the official will issue the caste certificate within a fortnight, according to reports.

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This will save people from hassle later in life to avail benefits of government welfare schemes, job reservations, admission in educational institutions and scholarships, The Times of India reported. The caste certificate is also needed by those who want to contest from a reserved seat in the assembly or Lok Sabha elections. The newspaper quoted UP Revenue Board chairperson Mukul Singhal as saying: “The caste certificate is a permanent and vital document that will help people immensely.”

Aimed at backward communities

The scheme seems to be aimed at benefitting socially backward communities which form a big chunk of voters in the politically crucial state. The caste certificate will help the BJP to increase its influence over these communities by seamlessly implementing welfare schemes aimed at them. A government official termed the decision a “fantastic idea” for precise and systematic execution of welfare schemes in the long run, reports The Times of India.

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According to estimates based on 2011 census – the Government of India did not publicly release Socio-Economic and Caste Census, hence no official figures are available – Uttar Pradesh has around 40 per cent OBC population and around 20-21 per cent Dalits and tribals. Yadavs, at 40 per cent, form the biggest chunk of OBC population in the state.