CM launches Mission Bhumiputra-a simplified way to issue digitalised caste certificate to students

Aug 1: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa today launched ‘Mission Bhumiputra’, a simplified and digital way to issue digitalised caste certificate to students as he inaugurated a Bhumiputra Portal at a programme held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. Implemented by the Departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice Empowerment, the mission has been implemented to carry forward government’s mission of easy public service to the public.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that under the mission, government will create two pillars. Henceforth, manual system of issuing caste certificate will be ceased. From 8th August onwards, the Deputy Commissioners will give the format of applications for caste certificates to the Headmasters of educational institutions. The headmasters will fill up the application formats for their onward submission to the Deputy Commissioners who then forward the applications to the Boards of respective caste or tribe. The DC then will convene a meeting with the Boards to decide on the protocol for issuing caste certificate to the students. If any doubt in the process crops up, the application may be sent for further verification. The certificates will be available in the digi locker under the IT Act with digitally signed by the respective Deputy Commissioners.

The Chief Minister also said that earlier people before joining any government job, had to bear encumbrances to secure such documents. However, with the lunch of Mission Bhumiputra such problems will be solved without any glitch. From next year, students from Class VIII can apply for caste certificates through this portal which will also be lined with CM’s dashboard to enable the Chief Minister’s Office to monitor the entire process. He also asked Departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice Empowerment to generate awareness on this new initiative.

Dr. Sarma on this occasion also said that as a part of government’s commitment to the welfare of the people belonging to different tribes, along with launching Basundhara-II, the government will release a Tribal Land Policy.

The applicants will be issued the certificates digitally signed by respective Deputy Commissioners, who will be assisted by official bodies of different castes in identifying/approving the caste of students.

It is not linked to NRC or legacy data.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 1, 2022

The Chief Minister also said that government has laid emphasis on issuing EWS certificates to the people as steps will be taken to issue such certificate to the students from class VIII onwards. An awareness rally will be organised from 1to 15 September. With regards to OBC certificates, State government will take necessary steps.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on ‘Minimum government, Maximum governance’, State government has been facilitating different public services seamlessly to the people. Moreover, with the introduction of digitalization, different services have been rendered to the people transparently and expeditiously. This system has put an end to the menace of ‘middleman’, the Chief Minister added.