Municipal polls throw up demand for caste certificate

MARGAO, AUG 23
Caste status has suddenly become a catch word for many a candidates having an eye on the forthcoming Municipal polls.
In fact, it’s not uncommon to find probable candidates flaunting their caste status, with the government reserving seats for OBC and STs in the coming civic polls.
And, if officials are to be believed, there’s already a beeline before the Deputy Collectors for the much-sought after caste certificate, mandatory for a candidate contesting from a reserved seat.
Though the government is yet to notify the reserved wards, suspense continues amongst the probable candidates. But, that has not prevented many a candidate to get back to their community leaders to get letters, indicating that he or she belongs to a particular caste or community.
Inquiries with the Deputy Collector, Margao has revealed that some of the prospective candidates, including sitting Margao Municipal Councilors have already obtained the caste certificate, to ensure they are not left in the lurch at the eleventh hour.
That’s not all. Given the intense political rivalry at the ward level in the run up to the polls, the office of the deputy Collector, Margao has even received an application under the Right to Information Act seeking information about the caste certificate issued to a particular candidate.
“Everyday, my office receives so many applications for a caste certificate. Many of the applicants also comprises of the prospective candidates”, remarked Deputy Collector, Johnson Fernandes.
Incidentally, the Deputy Collector’s office is flooded with queries on the criteria vis-à-vis caste certificate. For instance, there was a query whether a women’s caste status changes after her marriage and it was informed that the women retains her original caste despite marriage.
This question came to the fore after a prospective woman candidate sought to know her caste status after her marriage, as she anticipated reservation of her ward for OBC candidate.