Now, single mothers will find it easier to get caste certificate for their kids
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has started working towards making the procedure for single mothers easier to get OBC certificates for their children. The decision has been taken after taking cognisance of various reports highlighting the problems faced by single mothers in getting such certificates.
"Single mothers in Delhi, who are from backward classes, face various social atrocities. But they work hard to provide their children education. Thereafter, they apply for OBC certificates for their children.
"I was getting complaints that the process was complicated, so we are working to make it easy," said Delhi Social Welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam.
In a high-level meeting, chaired by Gautam and attended by the Chief Secretary, the government has decided to sensitise officers regarding the matter.
"We will reach out to the divisional officers and train them on how to deal with such cases. They ask for proof of the father of child of single mothers, which is often not available. We have decided that no such documents would be needed and the mother's document will be considered to provide the child the necessary certificate," said Gautam.
He added that if the mother is a resident of Delhi and can provide that proof along with her caste certificate, the government will provide the same for the child.
"We have instructed all the officials and the procedures will be monitored thoroughly," said the minister.
A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Advocacy and Research, along with the Institute of Human Development, threw light on the abysmal condition of single mothers in Delhi. The researchers observed that in poor backward class families, single mothers are mostly the primary breadwinner.
The research also showed that among the more than 3,000 households in east, north east and Shahdara districts, 36 per cent are headed by women. In this 36 per cent, nearly 79 per cent are widowed women, 21 per cent have been deserted by the husband and nearly three per cent are single mothers.
The survey also showed that nearly 1,880 mothers want their children to finish their studies. But to get the necessary resources, they require caste certificates, which is tough.
Significantly, last week, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court made it clear that there exists no legal obligation for single mothers to disclose the name of their child's father while registering for the child's birth.
Justice MS Ramesh observed, "There are also cases where women are constrained to raise children with their own sources, in view of their unwilling and unconcerned partners. It would be totally unjustifiable to insist such single or unwed mothers to compel them to declare the name of the father of the child who has chosen to abandon the child."
