: The government has issued a circular clarifying that caste certificates can be issued for members of forward castes by Village Officers, for requirements within the State, and Tahsildars, for requirements outside the State.
Till the State Forward Castes Commission prepares and announces the list of forward castes, any caste that has not been enlisted as backward caste as per Government Order, may be considered as forward caste and after detailed inquiry, may be issued certificate after getting an affidavit from the applicant, the circular clarifies.
Apart from Village/taluk/Revenue Divisional Offices, 23 types of certificates, including caste certificates, are being issued through Akshaya Kendras also.
For children belonging to forward castes, caste certificate is necessary for issuing educational benefits through e-grants.
The circular was issued as currently, there are no Government Orders regarding issuing caste certificates for forward castes, because of which Village Officers were unable to allow benefits to those who were eligible for the same.
