Additional Tehsildar ‘manhandled’ over ‘delay’ in issuance of caste certificate in Odisha 

Tension prevailed at the Tehsil office in Deogaon in Bolangir district after some women staged a demonstration and allegedly misbehaved and manhandled additional tehsildar Samkesh Nayak on Tuesday.  The official faced public wrath allegedly over a delay in issuance of caste certificate, as per initial reports. 

It is alleged that a young man, Bikas Meher of Satighat village, had reportedly applied for a caste certificate, a document crucial for access to various governmental benefits and services. It is alleged that the Additional Tehsildar, Samkesh Nayak, postponed the issuance, attributing the delay to pending legal formalities.

“I needed the certificate and applied twice and it was rejected. I informed the matter to the president and later showed some documents to the official regarding the caste. But nothing happened,” alleged Meher.

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The delay led to resentment among local residents who stormed the Tehsil office, demanding an explanation for the delay. Speaking to the gathered crowd, Nayak explained the postponement was unavoidable due to necessary legal procedures that had not yet concluded.

“The applicant had sought an ST certificate and the protestors were adamant on some issues. I have put the issuance on hold as there is some issue in the new gazette notification in which there is no mention of Kulis and no mention of Kuli. Supreme Court in 2018 had said that Kuli and Kulis are the same. Gazette notification is issued every 10 years. After going through the 2024 notification, I found that there is mention of Kuli and have sought some clarification from the district Collector,” said the additional Tehsildar.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in obtaining essential documents in the region, often leading to frustration among those dependent on timely access to educational and occupational opportunities.