Fake nativity certificates used in ITDA- Utnoor teacher recruitment, locals allege job loss
Over 50 candidates allegedly secured teacher jobs in ITDA Utnoor using fake nativity certificates, affecting local tribal aspirants. The issue has now reached the National Scheduled Tribal Commission, which has sought explanations from officials over the recruitment process and irregularities
Adilabad: Certain aspirants allegedly secured government teacher jobs by producing fake nativity certificates, affecting the employment opportunities of local candidates in notified villages under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)-Utnoor in a recruitment test held nine years ago.
As per orders issued by the President of India, posts of teachers in notified areas are completely reserved for local tribal candidates. According to the order, tribals born before January 26, 1950, are eligible for these posts in notified villages. Candidates are required to produce a nativity certificate issued by the competent authority to claim reservations. However, over 50 candidates were found to have secured teacher jobs by submitting fake nativity certificates in a recruitment test conducted to fill 380 posts in 2017. The irregularities came to light when a District Level Committee (DLC), led by the then Collector, conducted an inquiry into the recruitment process following complaints about the alleged violations.
Despite the committee identifying illegal recruitment, the candidates reportedly managed to secure postings by exerting pressure on officials of the Tribal Welfare Department with the support of some public representatives during the 2022-23 academic year. Those who failed to secure jobs despite being genuine residents of notified villages launched protests, seeking justice.
“Some candidates from plains in the erstwhile Adilabad district and belonging to neighbouring Maharashtra got teacher posts in notified areas under the agency by furnishing counterfeit nativity certificates. They not only duped the government but also robbed our employment opportunities. We began a battle against the process,” a local teacher job aspirant said.
Recently, the victims approached the National Scheduled Tribal Commission, which issued notices to the ITDA-Utnoor Project Officer and the Adilabad Collector, seeking explanations regarding the teacher recruitment process. The Commission sought details on action taken to prevent ineligible candidates from being recruited.
When contacted, ITDA-Utnoor Project Officer Yuvaraj Samrat said an explanation was submitted to the Commission, stating that the DLC had detected ineligible candidates, but the shortlisted candidates were recruited by higher officials from Hyderabad who intervened in the matter. He clarified that they had no role in the recruitment process.