Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Kerala (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes ) Regulation of Issue Of Community Certificates Act, 1996

General199631 sections

This Act regulates the issuance, verification, and cancellation of caste certificates for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Kerala. It applies to individuals seeking affirmative action benefits, such as reserved seats in educational institutions, public employment, or reserved electoral offices, as well as the authorities issuing or scrutinizing these credentials. Applicants must formally prove their caste status before designated competent authorities, while screening and scrutiny committees investigate potential fraud. The law matters because it safeguards genuine beneficiaries from fraudulent claims, revokes illegally obtained degrees or jobs, imposes criminal penalties on fraudsters and corrupt officials, and ensures fair welfare distribution.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 28. Departmental proceedings not barred by prosecution
  2. 29. Cancellation of community certificate issued to a person to be proof against the relatives of the same blood
  3. 30. Transitional Provision
  4. 1. Short title, extent and commencement. Short title, extent and commencement
  5. 2. Definitions. Definitions
  6. 3. Proof of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribe Status. Proof of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribe Status
  7. 4. Application for Community Certificate. Application for Community Certificate
  8. 5. Community Certificate to be issued only by the Competent Authority. Community Certificate to be issued only by the Competent Authority
  9. 6. Constitution of Screening Committee for verification of Community Certificate. Constitution of Screening Committee for verification of Community Certificate
  10. 7. Further verification of Community Certificate. Further verification of Community Certificate
  11. 8. Constitution of scrutiny committee for verification of community certificates. Constitution of scrutiny committee for verification of community certificates
  12. 9. Enquiry by Expert Agency. Enquiry by Expert Agency
  13. 10. Burden of proof. Burden of proof
  14. 11. Cancellation of false community certificate. Cancellation of false community certificate
  15. 12. Appeal and review. Appeal and review
  16. 13. Power of stay and revision by the Government. Power of stay and revision by the Government
  17. 14. Competent Authority, the Expert Agency and Scrutiny Committee to exercise powers of the Civil Court. Competent Authority, the Expert Agency and Scrutiny Committee to exercise powers of the Civil Court
  18. 15. Penalties. Penalties
  19. 16. Benefits secured on the basis of false community certificates to be withdrawn. Benefits secured on the basis of false community certificates to be withdrawn
  20. 17. Penalty for securing an appointment or election to local bodies etc. on the basis of false community certificate. Penalty for securing an appointment or election to local bodies etc. on the basis of false community certificate
  21. 18. Penalty for issuing false community certificate. Penalty for issuing false community certificate
  22. 19. Penalty for preparation and submission of false reports by the expert agency. Penalty for preparation and submission of false reports by the expert agency
  23. 20. Penalty for abetters. Penalty for abetters
  24. 21. Establishment of special courts. Establishment of special courts
  25. 22. Special Public Prosecutor. Special Public Prosecutor
  26. 23. Offence under the Act cognizable and non-bailable. Offence under the Act cognizable and non-bailable
  27. 24. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts
  28. 25. Protection of acts done in good faith. Protection of acts done in good faith
  29. 26. Act to override other laws. Act to override other laws
  30. 27. Power to make rules. Power to make rules
  31. 27(3). Rules

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