Kolkata: The West Bengal government has launched a statewide reverification of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates issued during the previous Trinamool Congress administration, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announcing stringent action against those found guilty of obtaining or issuing fraudulent caste certificates. Addressing a gathering during the Hool Dibas celebrations in Bankura’s Mukutmanipur, the Chief Minister said that the exercise aims to safeguard the constitutional rights of genuine beneficiaries and ensure that reservation benefits reach the intended communities.
Speaking at the event, Adhikari alleged that thousands of fake SC and ST certificates had been issued during the previous regime without proper verification or adherence to prescribed guidelines. He asserted that the government would thoroughly investigate every suspected case and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible.
The Chief Minister warned that anyone found to have fraudulently secured an SC or ST certificate, as well as officials involved in issuing such documents unlawfully, would face criminal prosecution. He added that the BJP-led state government would not allow the misuse of tribal certificates and was committed to protecting the interests of genuine Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities.
According to government sources, nearly one crore caste certificates were issued in West Bengal between 2011 and 2026. Officials alleged that the pace of issuing certificates increased significantly after the launch of the Duare Sarkar outreach programme in 2020, with concerns being raised about inadequate verification procedures in several cases.
Tribal Development Minister Kshudiram Tudu, who accompanied the Chief Minister at the programme, confirmed that instructions had already been issued to district authorities to begin reverifying caste certificates. He stated that every certificate issued during the previous government’s tenure would be scrutinised to identify any fraudulent cases.
Tudu alleged that the highest number of fake caste certificates had been issued during the Duare Sarkar initiative and maintained that the ongoing verification drive would be comprehensive and impartial. He said the process had already commenced across multiple districts.
Government sources also claimed that several Adivasi leaders had repeatedly raised concerns regarding fake caste certificates during the previous administration. According to these sources, the issue was allegedly not addressed adequately, leading to resentment among members of tribal communities who believed that fake beneficiaries were depriving genuine applicants of reservation benefits, educational opportunities, government jobs, and welfare schemes.
Political observers believe that the controversy surrounding fake caste certificates may have influenced voting patterns in tribal-dominated regions during the recent Assembly elections. The BJP secured all 16 Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes and also won an unreserved seat in Purulia with a tribal candidate, reflecting strong electoral support from tribal communities.
Thanking the tribal population for their support, Chief Minister Adhikari assured them that his government would prioritise development and welfare in tribal areas. He said the administration remained committed to creating employment opportunities, ensuring food security for families, and providing housing for the poor. According to him, these commitments formed the core of the BJP government’s governance agenda and would continue to guide its policies.
The Chief Minister also accused the previous government of failing to implement several tribal welfare initiatives effectively. He alleged that despite the Centre’s willingness to establish additional Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students, the earlier state administration did not provide the required land, thereby delaying the implementation of the projects.
During his address, Adhikari further criticised the previous regime, alleging that tribal communities had suffered years of neglect and deprivation. He claimed that the alleged oppression faced by Adivasis under the former government had, in many respects, exceeded historical injustices, while asserting that corruption and appeasement politics had denied genuine beneficiaries their rightful entitlements.
The Chief Minister also highlighted increased financial allocations for the Paschimanchal Unnayan Department. He claimed that while only ₹6 crore worth of development work had been undertaken across the 75 blocks of Jangal Mahal during the previous financial year, the present government had earmarked ₹1,200 crore in the latest state budget to accelerate infrastructure and welfare projects across the region.
In addition, Adhikari announced that around 1.20 crore women would receive financial assistance of ₹3,000 each under the Annapurna Yojana, with payments scheduled to begin immediately and continue every month. He said that out of approximately 1.51 crore applications received under the scheme, nearly 1.20 crore beneficiaries had been selected following a verification process. Among them, nearly five lakh beneficiaries belong to tribal communities.
