According to a government report, over 10 lakh people in Maharashtra are estimated to have obtained bogus caste certificates over the past four decades
A Supreme Court verdict passed on Thursday, which held that those using fake caste certificates to avail quota for admissions to educational institutions or getting government jobs must lose the benefit even if their forgery is discovered after years, is likely to have huge social and political ramification in Maharashtra and elsewhere.
According to a government report, over 10 lakh people in Maharashtra are estimated to have obtained bogus caste certificates over the past four decades. The report cites the nexus of collectorates, caste scrutiny committees, touts, and politicians as facilitators. Of these 10 lakh, nearly 50,000 belonging to General and OBC categories have reportedly bagged government jobs including civil services and seats in premier institutions across Maharashtra under various quotas designated for underprivileged scheduled castes, tribes, and denotified communities, say government officials.
All these fake quota beneficiaries will have to give up their offices if the state government shows the political will to do so.
Supreme Court Advocate Ravindra Adsure, who was associated with the case, explained, "All those employees, professionals, and students across India whose caste certificates have been pronounced fake by the caste scrutiny committee and have not been granted relief by the judiciary so far, are set to lose their jobs and degrees now. The cases which are pending before the caste scrutiny committee and might be termed fake would also lose their entitlements."
Despite clear directions from the SC in 1994 to expel the impostors who illegally usurp quota benefits, respective governments, and the HCs have permitted many of them to continue with their jobs because they had put in "several years" in service. They were merely transferred to their original category (General, OBC, or SC) and stripped of promotions as 'punishment'. Fake quota students were allowed to complete their course after paying a fine.
"Since the Thursday verdict is applicable with prospective effect, people who already got HC or SC relief will be unaffected," says Adsure. Many bogus beneficiaries have retired and passed away also.
...& ANALYSIS
- The Supreme Court in its September 2, 1994 verdict had stated (for a case pertaining to Maharashtra) that the employees must be expelled from their jobs if their caste certificates were found to be bogus.
- Even as the SC judgment has been the hottest gossip among polity and bureaucracy since Thursday, there is complete silence over its implementation.
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