Bhubaneswar: The West Bengal government has initiated a massive statewide re-verification exercise covering nearly 1.69 crore Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste certificates issued since 2011 amid concerns over the authenticity of several documents.
According to official figures, the review will include around 1 crore SC certificates, nearly 21 lakh ST certificates and approximately 48 lakh OBC certificates issued over the past 15 years.
Officials said district administrations and designated verification teams have been instructed to examine beneficiary records, supporting documents and approval procedures associated with caste certificate issuance across the state.
The exercise is aimed at identifying irregularities and ensuring that reservation and welfare benefits are extended only to eligible beneficiaries under the prescribed legal framework.
The move has triggered strong political reactions in West Bengal amid ongoing debates surrounding reservation policies, OBC categorisation and allegations of irregularities in certificate distribution.
Authorities are expected to carry out the verification process in phases while coordinating with local administrative offices and welfare departments across districts.
-OdishaAge
