BANGALORE: A Bill with provisions to deal more effectively with the cases of issuing of false caste and income and caste certificates was passed by the state assembly on Tuesday.

Offences under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes(SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and other backward classes (reservation) of appointment etc) (amendment) act have been made cognisable and non-bailable.

Besides, certain powers of the civil court have been conferred on the verification committee and the tahsildar and penalties provided for obtaining false caste certificate or income and caste certificate and also for issuing such certificates.

Summary trial of offences and cancellation of a degree acquired by a person who had secured admission to an educational institution on the basis of a false caste certificate or income and caste certificate have also been provided for.

The Bill was piloted by social welfare Minister Kagodu Thimappa.

The house also passed the Karnataka land reforms (amendment) Bill, 2001.