BENGALURU: Amid strong opposition from the BJP and JDS, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday launched the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) and defended the State government’s decision, asserting that it is fully backed by law. “We know the law of this country. We are eligible to issue these certificates,” the chief minister said.
The CM said the government had discussed the initiative with the Election Commission and was issuing the certificates strictly in accordance with the law and the Commission’s guidelines. Applicants can apply for the PRC both online and offline. Following scrutiny of applications, the certificates will be issued within 21 days. Deputy tahsildars have been empowered to issue PRCs.
The State government also launched doorstep delivery of caste certificates, a citizen-centric initiative expected to benefit 4.85 crore people across Karnataka by making essential government services more accessible. Caste certificates will be disbursed in the next seven days.
After launching the services, the CM told reporters that they had discussed the issue with the Election Commission. “We are providing these certificates as per their guidelines and norms, as per the law of this country. Let the BJP or anyone else shout, that is their job. It is our duty to issue certificates to those who are rightfully entitled to them,” he said. PRCs cannot be created overnight, he added.
PRC will help streamline guarantee schemes, says DCM
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the government has begun free door-to-door distribution of caste certificates and PRCs to help people easily obtain documents required for the Union Government’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Explaining the criteria to avail PRC, Parameshwara said the applicant must either be born in Karnataka or have parents who have resided in the State for at least 10 years.
Eligibility also covers those who have completed 10 years of schooling, or whose parents, legal guardians or spouses are residents of Karnataka, and those who own or inherit property in the State. The name of the applicant or parents should be on the electoral rolls, or should have Aadhaar, ration card and other government documents with a Karnataka address. Government and public servants with at least seven years of service and those married to Karnataka residents are also eligible.
The Deputy CM said that this will help eligible people get enrolled in SIR. “The issue of outsiders, of Bangladeshis allegedly infiltrating into Karnataka has been raised both in the legislative session and outside. In such cases, if they don’t meet these criteria, their names can be removed. It will also help us streamline the guarantee schemes,’’ he added.
Citizens can download caste certificates free of cost from the government portal using the certificate RD number, ration card or Aadhaar number. The service will also be available at facilitation centres set up at the hobli level, where printed copies of caste certificates and other essential documents will be provided free. One can also get certificates through WhatsApp or SMS.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said Karnataka has taken a historic decision. “This is not just distribution of certificates, it is about protecting the identity and voice of every citizen in a democracy. As part of the doorstep delivery programme, we have shared 4.85 crore digital caste certificates with Deputy Commissioners in PDF format. District administrations will print the certificates and deliver them directly to beneficiaries,” he added.
Applicant must be born in Karnataka
Parents should have resided in Karnataka for at least 10 years
Applicant should have completed 10 years of education or up to second-year PU in Karnataka
Applicant’s parents or spouse should be residents of state
Applicant or family members must legally own residential property or other immovable property in Karnataka
Parent should have been government/ public servant for at least 7 years
