Sambalpur: In the Indian social and economic system, the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) have historically been the most oppressed and marginalized groups. Even after decades of independence, these communities continue to be among the poorest. To address this historical injustice, the Constitution has provided them with reservations and various government benefits. However, in the current scenario, landless people belonging to SC and ST communities are gradually being deprived of these benefits.
Since a land certificate is mandatory for obtaining a caste certificate, many landless individuals are unable to submit this document and are consequently denied their caste certificates. The Sambalpur administration has stated that in recent years, the number of fake caste certificates has been increasing. In the Sambalpur Tehsil office alone, over the past three years, there have been serious allegations of 30 fake caste certificates being issued.
In other tehsils, the number is unclear, but recently, an Anganwadi worker was dismissed from service by the Sambalpur Sub-Collector for submitting a fake caste certificate. As a result, land records have been made mandatory for caste certificate verification.
Dasaratha Tandi from Bahalipada, Sambalpur, reported that on January 22, he applied for an SC caste certificate for his daughter, Durlabhi Tandi, submitting all required documents, including Aadhaar and ration card. However, since they are landless and could not provide a land record, their application was rejected by the Additional Tehsildar of Sambalpur on February 12. He has also repeatedly applied for his own caste certificate but has been unsuccessful.
Demand for Change
To address this issue, Rengali MLA Sudarshan Haripal has submitted a petition to the state government through the Sambalpur District Collector. Nihal Singh, President of the Ganda Samaj Welfare Council, stated that communities such as Ganda, Ghasi, and Chamars face significant difficulties in obtaining caste certificates. Many of them have migrated from districts like Subarnapur, Balangir, and Kalahandi to settle in Sambalpur. As they do not own land in their native villages or in Sambalpur, they are unable to obtain caste certificates.
Many landless individuals have reapplied for caste certificates with the signatures of community organizations, but even after 20 days, they have not received them. A Scheduled Tribe student pursuing a diploma in engineering said she has repeatedly applied for scholarships but has been disappointed each time due to the lack of a land certificate. Since her father does not own land, she could not submit the required land document. She has now applied using a land record in her grandfather’s name and hopes to receive her caste certificate soon.
Despite living in an area for over 50 years, some people still have not received land records. The constitutional provision of providing 5 decimal land to every landless person has not been implemented effectively. Meanwhile, wealthy and influential individuals from outside the state have obtained OBC and SC certificates and have even become municipal chairpersons and MLAs. The administration and elected representatives are being blamed for this injustice in Western Odisha.
Official Response
Sambalpur Tehsildar Manoj Kujur explained that many people from other districts and states reside in different parts of Sambalpur, making it difficult to verify their actual caste status. Due to increasing complaints about fake caste certificates, land records have been made mandatory. However, for landless SC and ST individuals, if their community organization issues a signed document confirming their caste status, they will receive a caste certificate within 15 days.