SC-ST certificates and proof of income certificates – documents meant for the most marginalised communities to access their entitlements, have not been issued in Chitrakoot district. Jan Sewa Kendras meant to facilitate the process of obtaining these documents are dysfunctional.
In Raipurmaafi village of Karwi block, Akanksha has to enrol in the 10th grade this year. She had submitted her documents for the SC-ST and income certificate nearly a month ago at the Shivrampur Jan Sewa Kendra. School admissions are on, but Akanksha does not have her documents yet.
In Khandeha village of Mau block, Ashok needs a proof of caste, income and residence. He has been appointed as a Home Guard for which the submission of these documents is mandatory. Ashok has spent hundreds travelling to Mau, but has not managed to get the documents. Dinesh from the same village needs the documents to apply for a government scheme for his daughter’s wedding, but he too has been struggling for days now.
In Nihi village of Manikpur block, Ramkishor has spent Rs. 1500 in just tavelling to the Jan Sewa Kendra in Patapurwa. His son is in the 11th grade and he too needs the documents. He doesn’t know if his visits to the Kendra will yield results.
In Chakaundh village of Pahadi block, Manisha and Aarti who have enrolled in the 10th grade have no hope left about getting their caste and income proof documents. The Jan Sewa Kendra here remains closed.
Manoj Yadav of the district science centre claims that 55281 forms had been submitted till 1st July; 52,497 certificates have been issued.
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