Jamshedpur MLA Purnima Sahu writes to CM  over caste certificate issuance issues

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Sept 25: Raising concerns over the hurdles faced by several communities in obtaining caste certificates, Jamshedpur East MLA Purnima Sahu has written a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to restore the earlier system of issuance.

In her letter, sent on Thursday, Sahu highlighted that members of the Pasi, Kalindi, Dusadh, Shaunik (Sudhi), Bauri, Central Mukhi, Teli Sahu, and Turi communities, among others, have been struggling to secure caste certificates.

According to her, despite being original inhabitants of Jharkhand for generations, many of these communities are landless.

Under the current system, the requirement of land records (khatiyan) for caste certificate issuance has deprived thousands of families of their constitutional rights, she pointed out.

As a result, students are unable to secure admissions or scholarships, while aspirants are losing out on benefits of reservation in competitive exams, government jobs, and welfare schemes.

Sahu recalled that earlier, caste certificates were issued on the basis of recommendations from local village heads or registered community representatives along with field verification.

However, this practice has been discontinued, causing serious difficulties—especially for thousands of families living in Tata lease areas who do not possess land records.

“The situation is pushing many communities towards frustration and social unrest, as their children’s future is at stake,” she warned.

The MLA also attached copies of letters received from various community organizations, including the Pasi Samaj, Kalindi Samiti, Dusadh Samiti, Shaunik (Sudhi) Samaj, Bauri Samaj, Central Mukhi Samaj, Teli Sahu Samaj, and Turi Samaj.

Sahu urged the Chief Minister to issue urgent directions to concerned departments to reinstate the previous system, allowing caste certificates to be issued on the basis of local verification and community recommendations for families without land records.