Assam is my Second Home and I have done my Duty: Prateek Hajela

Former NRC Coordinator leaves Assam on three years inter-cadre deputation to Madhya Pradesh

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Former State Coordinator of NRC (National Register of Citizens), Assam, Prateek Hajela on Tuesday left Assam to Madhya Pradesh on inter-cadre deputation following the direction of the Supreme Court after publication of the final NRC. The Central government has deputed Hajela to the Madhya Pradesh cadre for three years, and the Assam government has also agreed to the transfer order. Meanwhile, employees of the NRC State Coordinator’s office bade him farewell at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Borjhar.

Prior to leaving, Hajela told The Sentinel, “My daughter and I have learnt many good things from the people of Assam. I deem Assam as my second home State. We speak in Assamese among my family members here. My daughter speaks the language much more fluently (than I).

Hajela further said, “My home State is Madhya Pradesh. I began my career as an IAS officer in Assam way back in 1996. I shall return to Assam as I belong to the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.”

Hajela joined as the NRC Coordinator, Assam, on September 6, 2013. The Supreme Court order of October 18, 2019 states, “We order for the inter-cadre transfer of Mr Hajela to the State of Madhya Pradesh on deputation for the maximum period permissible under the relevant rules/regulations.”

On NRC, Prateek Hajela said, “I’m confident that high quality work has gone into the NRC update process in Assam. I have done my duty. With time, all will understand.

He further said, “The NRC is intricately linked with the immigration issue. That’s why, it was quite a sensitive matter. Finally, the final NRC was published.”

Also Read: Supreme Court Directs Centre, State to Transfer NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela

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