Hey there, folks! If you’re living in Maharashtra and have been waiting for your caste validity certificate, you might be facing some delays. It turns out that there are a whopping 47,000 pending cases across the state, and the reason behind this backlog is the large number of vacancies in the Caste Verification Committees.
During a recent Legislative Assembly session, concerns were raised about the vacant posts in these committees. Social Welfare Minister Sanjay Shirsat acknowledged the situation and shed some light on the ongoing crisis. It seems that many Chairman positions in the 36 district-wise caste verification committees are empty because some of the selected individuals have been appointed as Additional District Collectors for the IAS. As a temporary fix, the currently serving Chairmen have taken up the additional charge of these vacant posts.
BARTI has requested 22 additional officers to help clear the backlog of applications, but this request is still pending approval. As of January 31, 2025, the committees have managed to dispose of 40,115 cases but still have 47,027 pending. To speed up the process, the Director General of BARTI has instructed all committees to prioritize applications related to CET admissions.
Efforts are being made to address the issue, with the Revenue, Forest, and General Administration Department being asked to fill the vacant Chairman posts promptly. A letter was sent out on January 21, 2025, urging swift action, and the General Administration Department has called for expressions of interest from Joint Secretary-level officers to fill three Chairman posts on deputation.
Despite these measures, the backlog of caste verification cases continues to grow, causing frustration among applicants waiting for their caste validity certificates. Let’s hope that the authorities can resolve this issue soon for the benefit of all those affected.
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