Poor manpower delays caste verification certs, students fret over submission deadlines

Pune: Caste verification certificates, required for admission to various courses and scholarships offered by state and central education departments, have been delayed for over a month.There are just three officers for 36 districts in the state for caste verification certificates leading to a number of pending cases with the social justice department. Students said that their inquiries about a possible date of issue for these certificates remained unanswered. The department's officials said that they were working with low manpower and efforts were being made to expedite the process. The district-level committees formed for verification of certificates work under Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute.However, new positions have not been created for years. Officers in the revenue department have not received promotions leading to a few officers burdened with the work of 36 districts.BARTI's Director General Sunil Ware said, "Due to the election code of conduct, officers were not promoted. Now, the process is underway. Officers to all positions will be appointed within a month." Shubhana Warangal, a candidate who is waiting for her certificate, said, "I will apply for a postgraduate programme in 2025-26 academic year. I am keeping all my documents ready so that at the time of admission there are no delays. But, I have not yet received my caste certificate."Eknath More, a member of a students' union, said each officer is responsible for eight to ten districts. "They visit a district only once a month, causing a complete halt in their work for the next 30 days. Without committee chairpersons, the document verification for caste certificates is not completed, leading to delays."Caste validity certificates are mandatory for admission to Std XI science stream and for engineering, medical, and other professional courses. Raju Nikam, a member of the Student Welfare Association, said students have to wait up to three months to receive the certificate after applying, causing distress to both students and parents.Calls for Std XII students to apply A special campaign is being conducted for caste certificate verification of backward class students who have not applied for it while studying in Std XII science stream for the academic year 2024-25According to govt orders, the deadline for backward class students to submit their caste certificate verification application was December 31, 2024But, many students in the district have not yet submitted their applications to the District Caste Verification Committee officeThis campaign is a 100-day target program announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for such students quote Students from Scheduled Castes, Nomadic Tribes, Denotified Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Special Backward Classes, and Educationally and Socially Backward Classes (Maratha) need their caste certificates verified and must submit a caste validity certificate to avail reserved seats in professional courses. Students who have not yet submitted their caste certificate verification application should fill their applications online at CCVIS or www.barti.maharashtra.gov.inSanjay Dane, deputy commissioner and member of District Caste Certificate Verification CommitteePune: Caste verification certificates, required for admission to various courses and scholarships offered by state and central education departments, have been delayed for over a month.There are just three officers for 36 districts in the state for caste verification certificates leading to a number of pending cases with the social justice department. Students said that their inquiries about a possible date of issue for these certificates remained unanswered. The department's officials said that they were working with low manpower and efforts were being made to expedite the process. The district-level committees formed for verification of certificates work under Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute.However, new positions have not been created for years. Officers in the revenue department have not received promotions leading to a few officers burdened with the work of 36 districts.BARTI's Director General Sunil Ware said, "Due to the election code of conduct, officers were not promoted. Now, the process is underway. Officers to all positions will be appointed within a month." Shubhana Warangal, a candidate who is waiting for her certificate, said, "I will apply for a postgraduate programme in 2025-26 academic year. I am keeping all my documents ready so that at the time of admission there are no delays. But, I have not yet received my caste certificate."Eknath More, a member of a students' union, said each officer is responsible for eight to ten districts. "They visit a district only once a month, causing a complete halt in their work for the next 30 days. Without committee chairpersons, the document verification for caste certificates is not completed, leading to delays."Caste validity certificates are mandatory for admission to Std XI science stream and for engineering, medical, and other professional courses. Raju Nikam, a member of the Student Welfare Association, said students have to wait up to three months to receive the certificate after applying, causing distress to both students and parents.Calls for Std XII students to apply A special campaign is being conducted for caste certificate verification of backward class students who have not applied for it while studying in Std XII science stream for the academic year 2024-25According to govt orders, the deadline for backward class students to submit their caste certificate verification application was December 31, 2024But, many students in the district have not yet submitted their applications to the District Caste Verification Committee officeThis campaign is a 100-day target program announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for such students quote Students from Scheduled Castes, Nomadic Tribes, Denotified Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Special Backward Classes, and Educationally and Socially Backward Classes (Maratha) need their caste certificates verified and must submit a caste validity certificate to avail reserved seats in professional courses. Students who have not yet submitted their caste certificate verification application should fill their applications online at CCVIS or www.barti.maharashtra.gov.inSanjay Dane, deputy commissioner and member of District Caste Certificate Verification Committee