Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara during the launch of the Revenue Department's special campaign to visit every household in the State and distribute caste certificates free of cost, along with the permanent residence certificate service, at the Legislative Assembly Hall in Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru on Monday.
Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday launched a door-to-door initiative to issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs), one of the 11 documents accepted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for voter verification under the exercise.While Tahsildars are the competent authority to issue PRCs, the State government has also authorised Deputy Tahsildars to issue the certificates to speed up the process.The government also rolled out a programme to deliver caste certificates free of cost to beneficiaries across the State. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha after launching the initiatives, Mr. Shivakumar said they were aimed at reducing the need for citizens to visit multiple government offices. Terming the move as a “new concept” by Karnataka, Mr. Shivakumar said that no other State government had provided such a service. “Karnataka has always supported people who have come to the State to build their lives. Your vote, your right, has been the government’s ideology. This initiative is to ensure eligible voters do not lose their voting rights during the SIR,” he said.Around 4.85 crore digital caste certificates have already been shared with Deputy Commissioners for printing and doorstep distribution. A mobile application has been developed to record beneficiaries’ Aadhaar numbers, mobile numbers, and acknowledgements after the certificates are delivered, he added.“Citizens will also be able to download caste certificates free of cost through the government’s portal using the certificate’s RD number, ration card number or Aadhaar number. The service will also be available at government assistance centres, including newly established centres at the hobli level,” Mr. Shivakumar said, adding that nearly 57 lakh caste certificates have already been linked to beneficiaries’ mobile numbers, with download links sent through WhatsApp and SMS.‘Crossing constitutional line’Following the initiative’s launch, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok accused the Congress government of “crossing a dangerous constitutional line,” contending that the initiative raises “serious constitutional, legal and national security concerns.” Questioning the legal basis of the exercise, Mr. Ashok asked under which provision of the Constitution a State government was empowered to issue a Permanent Residence Certificate. He demanded that the State government immediately suspend the exercise, and said that if the government did not withdraw the initiative, the BJP would challenge it “politically, legally and constitutionally.” Published - July 20, 2026 08:17 pm IST
