Backward Classes Welfare Department Frequently Asked Questions

Organization : West Bengal Backward Classes Welfare Department
Service Name : Adibasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana
Applicable State : West Bengal

FAQ : https://anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/bcw
Website : http://www.anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/htm/home.html

Frequently Asked Questions :

1) What is a Caste Certificate and Why is it Needed ?
A Caste Certificate is the proof of one’s belonging to a particular caste like SC/ST/OBC, as specified in the Indian Constitution. The Government felt that the Scheduled Castes and Tribes need special encouragement and opportunities to progress at the same pace as the rest of the citizenry.

Related : Backward Classes Welfare Department Vocational Training Scheme In Tribal Areas : www.statusin.in/19369.html

As a result, as part of the Indian system of Protective Discrimination, there exist certain special privileges granted to this category of citizens, such as reservation of seats in the Legislatures and in the Government Service, waiving off a part or the whole of the fees for admission to schools and colleges, quotas in educational institutions, relaxation of upper age limits for applying to certain jobs, etc.

2) What is the Legal Framework ?
The statutory lists of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in pursuance of Articles 341 and 342 of the Indian Constitution, were notified for the first time under the Constitution (Schedule Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

These lists have been modified/amended/supplemented from time to time. On the reorganisation of the States, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes List (Modification) Order came into force from 29th October, 1956. Thereafter, a few other orders in respect of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes list in some individual States also came into force.

3) What You Need to Do to Get a Caste Certificate ?
A person belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has to apply to the designated authority, i.e., Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the applicant resides permanently. The Designated Authority will issue the certificate after verification of the claim of the applicant.

The application forms are available from the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate or of the Tehsil or Block office. In case none of your family members have earlier been issued a Caste Certificate, a local enquiry is conducted before issuing the Certificate to you.

Proof of residence in the State for a minimum specified period, an affidavit stating to belong to a Scheduled Caste, and the specified court stamp fee are required at the time of application.

4) What is Creamy Layer ?
The Government of India has evolved the criteria for exclusion of certain socially advanced persons/sections from the benefits of reservation available to OBCs in civil posts and services under the Government of India and this is called the “Creamy Layer criteria.

5) Whether backward sections of the religious minorities are also eligible for Inclusion in the lists of OBCs ?
The central lists of OBCs issued by the Government of India for different States and Union Territories do contain entries relating to sections of religious minorities. When a caste/community or group is included in the lists, it is included irrespective of the religion or denomination followed by the members of that caste/community or group.

6) What is the status of Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribe with regard to religion ?
As per orders issued, only persons professing either Hindu or Sikh or Buddhist religion are deemed to be members of Scheduled Caste. The Scheduled Tribe may profess any religion.

7) Whether a person of Scheduled Caste origin who has embraced Christian religion or Islam will he be treated as Scheduled Caste ?
No.

8) Can a non-Scheduled Caste or non-Scheduled Tribe person who marries a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe person will get the benefits meant for the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe?
The guiding principle is that no person who was not a Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by birth will be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe merely because he or she had married a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.

9) Can a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe person who marries a non-Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes person will continue to get benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes ?
Yes.

10) Classification of Class ?
The Central Government of India classifies some of its citizens based on their social and economic condition as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class (OBC). The OBC list presented by the commission is dynamic (castes and communities can be added or removed) and will change from time to time depending on Social, Educational and Economic factors.

For example, the OBCs are entitled to 27% reservations in public sector employment and higher education. In the constitution, OBCs are described as “socially and educationally backward classes”, and government is enjoined to ensure their social and educational development.