AMN / New Delhi

Centre on Tuesday directed the UP Govt to stop issuing Scheduled Caste certificates to 17 OBC castes. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Tawar Chand Gehlot, speaking in Rajya Sabha, said UP Govt’s move is “not appropriate” and “unconstitutional”.

Making a short statement in the Upper House of the Parliament, Gehlot said including OBC castes in the SC list is in the domain of Parliament and asked the state Govt to follow proper procedures. Citing a 2017 observation of the Allahabad High Court, the BJP Govt in UP had directed officials to issue SC certificates to 17 OBC castes “after examination and based on documents in accordance with the rules”.