Dispur writes to Centre for extension Foreigners Tribunals terms

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has moved the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) for the extension of the term of the 64 Additional Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). The terms of these FTs have already expired. The MHA last extended the two-year terms of these FTs in 2021.

The state has two types of FTs: 36 permanent and 64 additional. For the speedy disposal of FT cases, the Gauhati High Court issued a directive for the formation of 64 additional FTs in the state. Complying with the directive of the High Court, the MHA allowed the Home and Political Department of the Assam Government to form 64 additional FTs for a two-year term in 2015. Since then, the terms of the additional FTs have needed an extension every two years.

In its letter to the HMA, the State government justified the need for the additional FTs that have pending cases to dispose of. The letter has also requested that the MHA extend the terms of the members of the additional FTs.

The state has over 1 lakh pending cases in the 100 FTs (permanent and additional). The State Government bears the initial expenditure on FTs and gets the amount reimbursed by the MHA later.

FTs ascertain the nationality of suspected people referred to them by the border branch of the Assam Police.

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