All Assam Tribal Sangha seeks scrutiny of pre-2009 Scheduled Tribe certificates

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) on Monday said that it has become imperative to verify the authenticity of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates issued before the year 2009.

Addressing a press conference here today, AATS secretary general Aditya Khakhlari said that yesterday's executive meeting of the organization had welcomes welcomed the State Government's recent decision to provide and preserve ST certificates to eligible students of Class-9 to Class-12 in their classrooms though the digital QR system, without having to visit any office. However, Khakhlari said, the AATS also wants the Government to check the authenticity of the ST certificates of the parent(s) concerned before issuing certificates to the youngsters.

Elaborating on the need to verify previously-awarded ST certificates, he said that before 2009 the Sub-Divisional Development Boards for STs and Integrated Tribal Development Projects had issued ST certificates without proper verification and, as a result, many non-tribal people fraudulently procured ST certificates during that period and started availing undue benefits, including in the spheres of education and employment.

Khakhlari further appealed to the State Government to ensure that the proposed digital procedure is made watertight so that no unscrupulous ineligible person can fraudulently secure ST certificates from now on.

On the other hand, Khakhlari expressed concern over the eviction in the Silsako area. He said that the AATS is deeply concerned over the fact that as many as 27 indigenous tribal families were evicted without prior notice at Silsako, despite the State Government's earlier assurance that no tribal family would be evicted from their settlements. He said that the way in which the administration evicted these families without giving them an opportunity to salvage their belongings is indeed condemnable.

The AATS urges the State Government to rehabilitate these families and provide with adequate compensation, he said.

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