(a) whether any uniform procedure is laid down in issuing caste
certificates of Scheduled Castes in all over the country;
(b) if not, the reasons therefor and the details of the procedures
being followed by various States in this regard, State-wise; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to bring uniformity
for issuing the SC certificate and make it simple?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a) to (c) As per Article 341 of the Constitution of India, specification
of a caste, etc. as a Scheduled Caste has been done in relation to a State/
Union Territory, vide the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders, as amended
from time to time by Acts of Parliament.
Issuance and verification of Scheduled Caste certificate is, however,
the responsibility of the concerned State Government/ Union Territory
Administration, and in this regard guidelines have been issued to them,
by Ministry of Home Affairs, vide their letters No.35/1/72-R.U. (SCT-V)
dated 02.05.1975 and BC.12025/2/76-SCT-I, dated 22.03.1977.