Goa, May 13 -- Differences have emerged within the Bhandari Samaj over the issuance of community certificates and the legality of its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), with senior leaders making contrasting statements on the matter.

Bhandari Samaj leader Ashok Naik stated that community certificates are essential for identifying members belonging to the Bhandari community and for obtaining OBC certificates.

He said the Samaj had started issuing certificates across Goa for this purpose, but later found that fraudulent certificates were being circulated. According to Naik, discussions were subsequently held with the then Revenue Minister, following which the government was urged to recognise only authorised certificates issued by the d...