Explanation:- For the purposes of this section, ‘Scheduled Areas’ means the areas as defined in paragraph 6 to the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

(1) The Competent Authority may, on an application made to it under section 3, after satisfying itself about the genuineness or otherwise of the claim made therein and thereafter issue a Community Certificate within such period and in such form as may be prescribed or reject the application in writing. (2) Before the issue or rejection of a certificate under sub-section (1) the Competent Authority shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed. (3) The Community Certificate issued by the Competent Authority shall be valid only subject to the verification and grant of validity Certificate by the Scrutiny Committee. (4) A community Certificate issued by any other person, officer or authority other than the Competent Authority under this Act shall be invalid.