DH News Service

BANGALORE, Aug 1

The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Karnataka Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointment etc) Amendment Bill, 2001, which provides for penalties for obtaining false caste or income certificates, besides cancellation of a degree acquired by a person, who has secured admission to an educational institution on the basis of a false income or caste certificate.

Social Welfare Minister Kagodu Thimmappa who piloted the Bill for consideration said that many cases of obtaining false caste and income and caste certififcates with the connivance of the issuing authorities had arose. This has deprived benefit of reservation for the SC/ST and backward classes.

The minister said the tahsildars and verification committees would be authorised to enquire into cases pertaining to issuance of caste certificates. In fact, tahsildars and panels would have all the power of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

He also said deputy commissioners may, at any time either suo motu or on an application made to him within the prescribed period, call for and examine the records relating to any decision made or order passed by the tahsildar or assistant commissioner, for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the legality, regularity or propriety of such decision.

Mr Thimmappa said that whoever obtains a caste certificate or income-cum-caste certificate by furnishing false information or filing a false statement or any other fraudulent means, shall on conviction, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend up to two years and with fine which shall not be less than Rs 1,000 but which may extend up to Rs 5,000.

He also said that if a tahsildar intentionally issues a false caste certificate or income and caste certificate, he shall on conviction, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months.

The minister also said that that no civil court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any order passed by an officer or authority under this Act .