New rules to verify ST certificates

Chennai, Oct 4: The Tamil Nadu Government has formulated new rules to determine the authenticity of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe community certificates.

A recent Government Order issued by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department outlined changes in the constitution and function of two committees-- state-level Scrutiny Committee and district-level Vigilance Committee.

The Vigilance Committee, comprising District Collector as Chairman, District Adi Dravidar Tribal Welfare Officer as Member Secretary and an anthropologist, would examine certificates issued to SC communities.

The Scrutiny Committee would examine certificates issued to ST communities. The Secretary to the Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, the Commissioner of Tribal Welfare and an anthropologist would be its members.

Members of the SCs/STs seeking entry into educational institutions or apply for jobs should file their community certificates for scrutiny six months in advance. If the claim for social status was found to be suspicious, a report would be sent to the individual concerned, for a reply within 30 days.

All false certificates would be confiscated, the individual prosecuted and the educational institution or appointing authority informed.

UNI