Gram panchayats in Maharashtra will now allow its members to submit their caste validity certificates within a year of winning elections.

A bill in this regard was unanimously passed by the state assembly on Wednesday.

State Rural Development Minister Hassan Mushrif said the bill ensures that aspiring candidates are not barred from contesting elections.

At present, the rule states that a candidate will have to submit his/her caste validity certificate at the time of filing of nominations.

The minister added that social justice and rural development departments were working on a comprehensive policy to expedite the process of providing a validity certificate to those having caste certificates.