NON-CREAMY LAYER CERTIFICATES – PUNJAB
In this article, we are looking at Caste Certificates and in particular the process in Punjab, District Punjab, for obtaining a Creamy Layer Certificate.
In India Caste Certificates’ is the process that is in place to officially place people in caste categories. This is part of the Indian constitution for caste classification that answers all questions to discrimination and segregation that exists amongst the underprivileged in India. It is mandatory, should a person wish to make a claim to the Government to receive benefits sponsored by the class acts such as SC, ST, and OBC, that this person should own a Caste Certificate. OBC stands for Other Backward Class and is in play to alleviate any class uncertainties. OBC is also broken down into Creamy Layer and Non-Creamy Layer and is all relevant to the family annual income. Here we focus on the Creamy Layer Certification process.
Creamy Layers Versus Non-Creamy Layers
For the Non-Creamy Layers, the generalisation is that these are related to the Other Backward Class (OBC). Whereas the Creamy Layer concept introduction came into play so that the appropriate benefits could be categorised in equal measures within the Backward Classes should they be in a better situation financially and educationally than weaker elements of the same class.
The classification, for a Creamy Layer, is that they are considered as a General Category and they are treated in the same way. This means that people in the Creamy Layer category are not entitled to any of the Government benefits that the reserved categories are entitled to from Government sponsorships. The whole category status groups process is differentiated by the annual income earned by the parents that include salaries as well as other forms of income. The annual family income limit to fall under the non-creamy layer is Rs. eight (8) Lakhs while those whose annual income exceeds Rs. eight (8) Lakhs belong to Creamy Layer.
Non-Creamy Layer Benefits
Non-Creamy people, those fitting into that classification, are entitled to claim all the benefits that are available for the OBC category unlike the Creamy Layer classified people. This obviously means people in the Non-Creamy Layer sector can access Government sponsorships, say for education and employment, whereas the Creamy-Layer can not.
Non-Creamy Layers – Eligibility Rules
To be considered for Non-Creamy status, in the State of Punjab, potential applicants have to fall into a number of categorised conditions related to eligibility rules for a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate.
• 1. OBC Eligible: Applicants must belong to OBC category to be eligible
• 2. Financial Rules: The annual income of the applicant’s parents, in cases of minors. Or the annual income of the applicant’s family should not exceed Rs. eight (8) Lakhs including the income from other sources such as land, property or a business. However, the agricultural income is not included under consideration.
• 3. Citizen of India: Applicants should be citizens of India.
• 4. Resident in Punjab: Applicants should be permanent residents in Punjab.
Required Documents to Support Applications
Should a person wish a make an application for a Non-Creamy Layer certificate the procedure requires that a number of supporting documents are attached to the correctly completed application form.
• 1. Age Verification: A copy of a proof of age document.
• 2. Residence Verification: A copy of a proof of address document.
• 3. Ration Card: A copy of the applicant’s Ration Card.
• 4. Income Verification: A copy of a document confirming the applicant’s annual income.
• 5. Passport Picture: A scanned photograph the size of a passport.
• 6. Self Declaration: A copy of a Self Declaration form.
• 7. Verification Leaf: A copy of the applicant’s verification Leaf issued by Sarpanch, Numberdaar, Municipal Councilor.
• 8. Other Documents: Any other caste relevant documents.
Relevant Authority
The department designated to be responsible for issuing the Non-Creamy Layer Certificates / OBC Certificates is the Revenue and Rehabilitation Department and the applicant’s application will be dealt with by the concerned Tehsildar. For the approval or rejection, of the Punjab Caste Certificate, District Punjab, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate is the authorized official empowered with this task.
Processing Time & Service Charge
• 1. Processing Time: The total amount of processing time is seventeen (17) days from the date that the completed application form is submitted with all the correct supporting documents.
• 2. Service Charges: In the Punjab, district Punjab, to make a request for a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate the applicant has to pay a Government mandatory fee of Rs. ten (10). For Jan Sewa Kendra, Citizen Service Center, charges applicants, Rs. fifty (50) to apply for OBC certificate.
Application Process & Current Validity
• Application Process: Applications can only be submitted through electronic channels only in Punjab, District Punjab ,as per guidelines from Government officials. These application requests can be submitted in the following ways:
• 1. Through online from their respective places (Citizen login).
• 2. Through Common Service Centers (Jan Sewa Kendra).
• 3. Through Suwidha Centers.
Current Validity
• Currently, the certificate issued by the authority has the validity of three (3) years from the date the certificate is issued
How to Make Online Applications
Anybody can make an application for the service online through e-District Sewa as long as they have an internet connection. All applicants need to do is make a formal request in the e-District Sewa, to access the e-District application if the applicant is accessing the portal for the first time. To make the registration follow these steps:
• Step 1. Official Website: To make the initial registration go to the website for the State of Punjab, District Punjab, and enter the Citizen Login Link.
Image 1 – Punjab, District Punjab, Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Citizen login
Step 2: User Registration: The registration page appears. Enter all the details that are requested. They include personal details, user id, password, and security questions. Submit after entering the CAPTCHA.
Image 2. Punjab, District Punjab, Non-Creamy Layer Certificate User Registration
Step 3: User ID. Login to the e-district portal, with the system generated user id and password, and select the option OBC Certificate.
Step 4: Application Completion: Fill out the application form making sure you include all the relevant and required details.
Step 5: Supporting Documents: Scan and upload the supporting documents that are required.
Step 6: Required Payment: Make the necessary payment through the payment system. Upon successful payment, you can submit the application.
Step 7: Receipt: Print the confirmation activated by the e-District application and keep safe for future reference.
Note: Application tracking: Using the unique application tracking number the application status can be checked online.
Image 3. Punjab, District Punjab, Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Track Status
Common Service & Suwidha Centres Applications Online
Step 1. Submit Requests: Applicants, in District Punjab should submit requests for Non-Creamy Layer Certificates to the authorized CSC / Suwidha operator along with all the relevant supporting documents. The centre, for this process, will provide an application form to the applicant to complete with the required information. All applicants will have to prove their identity to the authorized operator using any Government proof of identification documents.
Step 2. Login To eDistrict: Using his /her user id and password. The operator at the counter of the CSC/Suwidha center will log in to the e-District.
Step 3. Form Completion: At the centre, the authorized operator will fill in the form with the provided applicant’s details. All supporting documents attached will be scanned and uploaded by the same operator.
Step 4.Applicant’s Picture: Using the web camera, the operator will take the applicant’s photograph which will be attached it to the application.
Step 5. Appropriate Fees. The government fee will be paid by the applicant at the cash counter after which the operator will submit the application.
Step 6. Unique Receipts: A formal receipt, with the unique receipt number, will be printed and passed to the applicant.
Step 7. Application Transfer: The authorized officer will save the file and dispatch it to the relevant office indicated in the e-District application.
Step 8. Application Process: The application file will be received by the Tehsildar authorized official, at the Tehsildar office, for the next part of the process.
Step 9. Tehsildar Process: The Tehsildar officer will log in to his account, examine the received requests, and checks the supporting documents.
Step 10. Digital Signature: The Tehsildar official will approve the request using a digital signature if he is satisfied with the details. In the case of a rejection, the rejection remarks, in District Punjab, will be added to the application form.
Step 11. Certificate Process: With the applicant’s unique receipt number the applicant needs to visit the CSC / Suwidha center.
Step 12: Retrieval of Digital Certificate: To retrieve the digitally signed certificate the authorized operator will log in to the e-District portal.
In circumstances where the applicant has decided on a postal delivery, the signed and stamped certificate by the authorized officer will be sent by first class post.
