Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 21: Karnataka deputy chief minister and revenue minister G Parameshwara has clarified that Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) will be issued only to eligible applicants based on prescribed norms, warning that illegal residents would be removed without any consideration.
Parameshwara made the statement while launching two key citizen services — door-to-door distribution of free caste certificates and the service for issuing Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) — at the Vidhana Soudha conference hall in Bengaluru along with chief minister D K Shivakumar.
Speaking after the launch, he said the decision to issue PRCs has been taken in accordance with 11 eligibility criteria after the Central government began the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
"Permanent Resident Certificates will be issued strictly according to the prescribed criteria. There will be no question of showing any consideration to illegal residents; they will be removed," Parameshwara said.
He said the government has laid down specific rules on the basis of which PRCs will be issued. Factors including employment, marriage and continuous residence in Karnataka for 10 years will be considered while determining eligibility.
"Based on birth in Karnataka, we have also decided to issue PRCs. The certificates will be delivered to people's homes. This decision has been taken to save citizens from making repeated visits to government offices," he said.
Parameshwara said doorstep delivery of Permanent Resident Certificates marks another step by the government led by chief minister D K Shivakumar towards making public services more accessible and citizen-friendly.
4.85 crore caste certificates to be delivered
The minister also announced the launch of doorstep delivery of caste and income certificates, aimed at simplifying access to government documents.
He said Karnataka has around 1.36 crore beneficiaries covered under caste certificates in categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, while 0.86 crore caste certificates have been issued under Category 1.
Certificates issued for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes stand at 2.63 crore, he said. Altogether, the government has estimated that around 4.85 crore caste certificates will be distributed, with the delivery process now beginning.
Parameshwara said citizens will also be able to download certificates free of cost through the website. They can access the documents through assistance centres at the hobli level, via WhatsApp services and through direct collection facilities.
Those who have applied through Nada Kacheri, Grama One service centres or Bapuji Kendras will also have the facility to obtain their certificates online through the website, he added.