**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 334, addressed to the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on July 22, 2025, inquired about inconsistencies in caste certificate issuance for the Pal, Baghel, and Dhangar communities in Sitapur and other districts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly concerning OBC and Scheduled Caste (SC) status. Specifically, the question focused on whether the government intends to issue Scheduled Caste certificates uniformly to these communities across Uttar Pradesh, given their primary occupation in animal husbandry and agriculture.
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, responded that the Pal and Baghel communities are not included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes or the Presidential Order of Scheduled Castes for Uttar Pradesh. While the Dhangar community is notified as a Scheduled Caste throughout Uttar Pradesh, Scheduled Caste certificates are issued only to members of communities explicitly listed in the Presidential Order for the specific state.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for social justice and empowerment initiatives.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Rakesh Rathor: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Pal Community: A community in Uttar Pradesh, India mentioned in the question regarding caste certificate issuance.
Baghel Community: A community in Uttar Pradesh, India mentioned in the question regarding caste certificate issuance.
Dhangar Community: A community in Uttar Pradesh, India mentioned in the question regarding caste certificate issuance, specifically regarding Scheduled Caste status.
Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh: A district in Uttar Pradesh, India, mentioned as one of the districts where the caste identity of certain communities is being questioned.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, central to the discussion about the issuance of OBC and Scheduled Caste certificates to specific communities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.334
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025
CASTE CERTIFICATE
1334. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the caste identify of Pal, Baghel and Dhangar communities belonging to Sitapur and
other districts of Uttar Pradesh, who are mainly engaged in animal husbandry and agriculture,
vary district-wise leading to their variation in terms of the issuance of OBC and Scheduled Caste
Certificate;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to issue Scheduled Caste certificate to Pal, Baghel
and Dhangar communities uniformly across Uttar Pradesh; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) to (c): Pal, Baghel and Dhangar (YAR) communities are not in the Central List of Other
Backward Classes and in the Presidential Order of Scheduled Castes notified for the State of
Uttar Pradesh. While, Dhangar (t#TS) is notified as a Scheduled Caste throughout the State of
Uttar Pradesh.
Scheduled Caste certificates are issued only to members of a community included in the
Presidential Order specifying the Scheduled Castes in relation to the concerned State.
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