Belagavi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced in the Legislative Council here on Monday that action would be taken on 702 false caste certificates cases, within six months.

His announcement came during a discussion on the reply for a question on the Civil Rights Enforcement(CRE) cell’s functioning by BJP nominated member Tara, after Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa and former Minister Basavaraj Horatti sought time-bound action.

Intervening during the reply by Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya during Question Hour on Monday, Mr. Horatti and Mr. Eshwarappa asked what was preventing the government from initiating action against those found guilty of using false caste certificates to get government jobs. When Mr. Anjaneya said action will be taken immediately, Mr. Eshwarappa insisted that the Chief Minister specify the time for action. Mr. Siddaramaiah then announced that action, including filing of criminal cases, would be taken within six months. Earlier, replying to Ms. Tara’s question on complaints from SC, ST organisations about the CRE cell being a toothless agency, Mr. Anjaneya said the government was contemplating giving “police powers” to the CRE cell.