Tehsildars may get back power to issue caste certificates

Deokate also heads a committee set up to review the system. The committee is presently holding divisional-level meetings.

Addressing a press conference after holding Nagpur divisional meeting, the Minister said people had complained about the confusion caused by the multiplicity of government orders regarding the system.

People also complained about the delay in getting the certificates. The delay was attributed to the overburdening of SDOs, who have been empowered as issuing authorities.

Taking note of these twin problems, the state government was now considering a proposal to streamline the procedure by a single comprehensive set of guidelines for issuing caste certificates and also for verification.

Another proposal under consideration was to reverting back to the old system of delegating powers to tehsildars to issue certificates.

He said the issue of streamlining the procedure and empowering the tehsildars was expected to figure in the cabinet meetings, to be held before the beginning of the monsoon session of the state legislature from July 17.

Deokate, who also holds the dairy development portfolio, addressed another meeting of officials and dairy societies, convened to discuss schemes to promote dairy in this region.

He said a separate package would be worked out to promote dairy activities in Vidarbha region. Nagpur could be developed as a major centre from where milk and its products could be supplied to adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh.