West Bengal reviews 1.22 lakh caste certificates, cancels 135 amid fresh scrutiny
New Delhi: The West Bengal government has launched a large-scale verification drive of caste certificates issued during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime, with more than 45,000 certificates coming under suspicion.
According to sources in Nabanna, the Backwards Classes Welfare Department has begun re-verifying caste certificates issued over the past 15 years, and the exercise has already uncovered several irregularities.
Over 1.22 lakh certificates under review
Officials said that 1,22,117 caste certificates have been taken up for re-verification so far. Of these, 76,750 certificates have been confirmed as valid.
Following the scrutiny, the government has cancelled 135 caste certificates, including:
- 83 Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates
- 41 Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates
- 11 Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates
Highest number of cancellations in 3 districts
Sources said the highest number of cancelled certificates has been reported from North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman districts.
Government tightens action
Allegations of irregularities in the issuance of OBC, SC, and ST certificates during the previous TMC government had been raised for several years.
After assuming office, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reportedly directed officials to verify all caste certificates issued during the previous administration. Addressing a public meeting in Bankura, he also warned that if any certificate is found to have been obtained fraudulently, both the beneficiary and the official responsible for issuing it would face arrest.
Following the Chief Minister’s directive, the state administration has accelerated the verification process to identify and act against fraudulent certificates.