Centre asks state govt to verify Solapur civic chief's OBC certificate
The request follows a complaint alleging that Ombase fraudulently used the certificate to secure additional attempts in the civil services examination.
The matter will be thoroughly examined, additional chief secretary V Radha, who heads state's general administration department (GAD), told TOI on Tuesday. "The inquiry will be conducted with due diligence as per Central govt instructions."
Speaking to TOI, Ombase said he has the necessary documents and will submit them when asked by govt.
"I will fully cooperate in any inquiry," he said. Ombase has previously served as the collector of Dharashiv district and CEO of Wardha zilla parishad.
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The department of personnel and training (DoPT), under the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions, forwarded the complaint to chief secretary Sujata Saunik through a letter dated June 13, signed by undersecretary Anshuman Mishra. GAD, which is responsible for such inquiries, has received the letter.
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"I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and forward herewith complaint received by this department alleging use of fake OBC-NCL certificate by Sachin Chhaganlal Ombase, IAS (MH:2015).....Since the candidate has been appointed to the IAS under the OBC-NCL category, state govt is requested to verify the authenticity of the certificate issued to Ombase and provide its comments to this department," the letter stated.
GAD officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the verification process would take time and a detailed report would be submitted once the review is complete as they needed to verify with the departments concerned.
Social activist Vijay Kumbhar, who posted the DoPT letter on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the complaint was filed by another person which was forwarded by him to DoPT.
Kumbhar alleged that Ombase had exhausted four attempts under the general category before acquiring an OBC certificate, using it to attempt the exam again and eventually clear it.
"General category candidates were allowed four attempts, while OBC candidates had more," he said. Kumbhar further alleged that Ombase obtained the certificate "illegally by hiding facts, submitting false information, and pressuring officials.
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A retired bureaucrat, who did not wish to be named, said this is the second such controversy involving UPSC eligibility certificates in recent months. Last year, a former IAS probationer faced similar accusations of using forged disability and OBC certificates to gain benefits in the civil services examination.
"State govt's verification and subsequent action will be crucial in determining whether any disciplinary or legal measures are required. Such complaints again raises serious concerns about the misuse of reservation policies and the verification process in competitive exams," the bureaucrat added.
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