Pune: PCMC Initiates Administrative Investigation Into Maratha-Kunbi Caste Certificates

Pimpri, 7th November 2023: In response to the issuance of Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates to the Maratha community, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shekhar Singh has announced the appointment of a nodal officer to oversee the statutory and administrative examination of pertinent records related to the PCMC. The goal is to complete the necessary documentation to substantiate the issuance of these certificates.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh has also issued a separate order establishing a committee led by retired Justice Sandeep Shinde. This committee is tasked with determining the procedure for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible individuals throughout the state of Maharashtra, conducting a statutory and administrative investigation into evidence submitted by Maratha community members to competent authorities, and subsequently submitting a comprehensive report to the government based on their findings.

By directives from the Maharashtra state government, Avinash Shinde, the Assistant Commissioner of the Election Department, will oversee a comprehensive review of records dating back to 1948-1967 on behalf of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. These records include birth and death records, educational records, land records, service record books, and tax collection records, all maintained by the PCMC. The report generated from this examination will adhere to the government’s guidelines.

To facilitate this process, specific instructions have been issued to the relevant departments within the Municipal Corporation. The heads of the Medical Department, Primary and Secondary Education Departments, Land and Estates Department, Accounts Department, and Taxation and Tax Collection Department will scrutinize the available records from the years 1948 to 1967. If any records indicating the presence of Kunbi caste are identified, a comprehensive legal and administrative investigation will be conducted. The department heads will be responsible for this undertaking.

The order emphasizes the need for department heads to work in coordination with the nodal officers, appoint staff as required, maintain a separate register for evidence verification, record and compile information, and submit it to the nodal authorities. In case the nodal officers believe more information or evidence is necessary, they are empowered to instruct the concerned departments or department heads accordingly.

Commissioner Shekhar Singh has stressed the time-bound nature of this work, urging that all tasks be completed within the stipulated time frame.