Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar Monday rolled out the doorstep delivery of caste certificates and the contentious permanent resident certificates (PRC) amid stiff opposition from parties who termed the move “unconstitutional”.
Shivakumar said the PRC was a citizen-centric initiative aimed at simplifying access to government services.
“This is not merely about distributing certificates. It is about protecting the identity and voice of every citizen in a democracy. Our objective is to ensure that government services reach the people instead of people having to run from one government office to another,” Shivakumar said, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The government claimed the PRC will also help in the ongoing SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process carried out in the state.
As part of the doorstep delivery programme, the CMO claimed it has already classified and shared 4.85 crore digital caste certificates with Deputy Commissioners in district-, taluk- and village-wise PDF formats. Of these, around 57 lakh caste certificates have already been linked to beneficiaries’ mobile numbers, and download links have been sent through WhatsApp and SMS, enabling them to access the documents digitally without any cost.
District administrations will print the certificates and deliver them directly to beneficiaries, the government said.
The government also hopes to remove ineligible beneficiaries of its flagship ‘guarantee’ schemes and bring down high implementation costs.
“This is something that we want to facilitate for the ordinary citizens of the state. They (people) always complain about these kinds of certificates for applying for various kinds of benefits and authenticity that you live here, you belong to Karnataka, that you are a Kannadiga,” G. Parameshwara, the Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters Monday.
He added that the PRC and caste certificates “will certainly help the SIR process”.
‘Dangerous precedent’
The government has set aside select criteria for PRC eligibility, including place of birth, or domiciled in the state for at least 10 years or linked to their partners or parents. Other criteria include completing 10 years of education in the state up to class 12, or having immediate relatives possessing or occupying residential property in the state. The person must have entries in electoral rolls, Aadhar, ration card or other government records. An applicant for PRC can also be someone whose either parent has served in government or any public institution for at least seven years.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party in Karnataka, said the Congress government’s decision to issue PRCs crossed “a dangerous constitutional line”.
BJP MLAs, MPs and even union ministers like Shobha Karandlaje have raised concerns about PRCs and written to the central government to stop the rollout.
“Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has launched the doorstep distribution of Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs). This is not a routine administrative exercise or reform. It raises serious constitutional, legal and national security concerns with implications that extend far beyond Karnataka,” R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition, said in a statement Monday.
He questioned the provisions of the Constitution which permitted the Shivakumar-led government to issue PRCs. He said that matters of citizenship and immigration are central subjects and the state had no jurisdiction to issue such certificates.
“The timing makes this even more disturbing. While the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway across the country, Karnataka has rushed to introduce a state-wide PRC programme. Why the haste? Who benefits from it? Why was such an exercise considered necessary at this sensitive juncture? The people of India deserve answers,” Ashoka said.
The BJP has accused the Congress of trying to legitimise ‘illegal migrants’ and secure its vote bank by legalising those from outside the state who have sought refuge in Karnataka.
The BJP has also gone as far as to say that the Congress is trying to legitimise illegal Bangladeshis as residents of Karnataka—a claim the ruling party has vehemently denied.
The BJP has threatened to challenge PRC on the streets and in courts, stating that they will not stand Constitutional provisions being undermined.
“We will not allow the Constitution to be undermined for political expediency, nor will we remain silent when actions with far-reaching consequences for India’s federal structure and national security are pushed through without transparency or accountability. The Constitution is not a political playground. India cannot afford such dangerous precedents,” Ashoka said.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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