Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Tribal Development Department has notified caste certificate services for Scheduled Tribes (ST) under the Gujarat Right of Citizens to Public Services Act, 2013, mandating fixed timelines for delivery and appeal.

As per the notification, the government has brought ST caste certificate issuance within the ambit of Section 4 of the Act to ensure timely and accountable service delivery.

As per the new rules, the competent authority must issue an ST caste certificate within 15 days of receiving complete and sufficient supporting documents from the applicant. In cases where documents are incomplete or require further verification, the certificate must be issued within 45 days.

The notification also provides a provision for appeal. If the competent authority fails to issue the caste certificate within the stipulated period, applicants can file an appeal, which must be resolved within 90 days.

The move is aimed at improving transparency, reducing delays, and strengthening citizen-centric service delivery mechanisms, particularly for tribal communities seeking essential documentation. DeshGujarat