Daltonganj Officials Debunk Rumors on OBC Caste Proof Requirements for Upcoming Urban Polls
As the nomination window opened on Thursday for the five urban local bodies in the Daltonganj district, set to go to polls on February 23, officials moved swiftly to address and reject widespread speculations regarding the documentation required for candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. Contrary to circulating claims, aspirants from OBC backgrounds are not mandated to submit khatiyani proof dating back to 1978 in order to contest the elections.
Clarifications from District Authorities
Additional Collector Kundan Kumar categorically denied the rumors, emphasizing the straightforward nature of the process. He stated, “The OBC category is divided into two counts: Annexure I and Annexure II. Individuals belonging to these two annexures are simply required to provide their valid caste certificates.” This clarification aims to streamline the nomination process and prevent unnecessary confusion among potential candidates.
Echoing this sentiment, Ratan Kumar Singh, the Deputy Election Officer (Municipality), reinforced that the requirements for OBC candidates are aligned with those for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. He explained, “Aspirants from the OBC community who wish to contest the election need to simply provide their caste certificates, just like their counterparts from the SC and ST communities.” This uniform approach is designed to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
Reservation Details and Civic Bodies Involved
A total of 28 out of 103 seats across the five civic bodies in the district are reserved exclusively for OBC communities. Among these reserved seats, 11 are specifically earmarked for women candidates. It is important to note that these OBC reservations apply solely to the positions of ward commissioners, highlighting the targeted nature of the affirmative action.
The five urban local bodies participating in the upcoming polls include:
- Medininagar Municipal Corporation
- Bishrampur Nagar Parishad
- Nagar Panchayat in Harihurganj block
- Nagar Panchayat in Chhaterpur block
- Nagar Panchayat in Hussainabad block
Historical Context and Legal Framework
The clarification comes against the backdrop of the Jharkhand state government’s Department of Personnel, which had previously notified specific cut-off years for caste certificates applicable to OBC, SC, and ST residents in the state. In 2019, the department issued a notification establishing 10.11.1978 as the cut-off year for OBC candidates under both Annexure I and Annexure II. Similarly, the cut-off years were set as 10.8.1950 for SC and 6.9.1950 for ST dwellers in Jharkhand.
Sources indicate that there have been instances where aspirants, after resettling in Jharkhand from parent states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, have claimed OBC status. In such cases, legal verification is required to ascertain whether these individuals or their forefathers were residing within Jharkhand’s geographical territory since the stipulated cut-off date of 10.11.1978. This verification process ensures the integrity of the reservation system and prevents misuse.
Ensuring a Smooth Electoral Process
By dispelling the misinformation surrounding khatiyani proof requirements, officials aim to facilitate a smoother nomination process and encourage broader participation from OBC communities. The emphasis on providing only caste certificates is expected to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and align with the state’s broader efforts to promote inclusive governance.
As the election date approaches, these clarifications are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that all eligible candidates can contest without undue obstacles. The focus remains on upholding democratic principles while adhering to the legal frameworks established by the state government.
