De-recognition of ST certificates issued by State
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Reacting strongly to reports that the Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate issued by Meghalaya are not recognised in other states, the Opposition has asked the State Government to reciprocate in a similar manner by not recognising the ST certificates issued by other states.
Opposition Leader Conrad K Sangma on Friday said it was really sad that a student from the State with 77 per cent marks failed to get admission in Cotton College, Guwahati since the Assam Government does not recognise the ST certificate issued by Meghalaya.
“In my view the State Government should reciprocate the same policy. It would be a big loss for the State if it does not derecognise the ST certificates issued by other states,” Sangma stated during question hour on the first day of the Autumn Assembly session on Friday.
In his reply, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said it would not be a good idea to adopt a confronting approach.
“The Government would instead take all possible steps to address the difficulties faced by students from the State,” he added.
Earlier, in reply to a question raised by Marcuise N Marak (NCP), Social Welfare Minister JA Lyngdoh informed that the state governments of Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Himachal Pradesh are not recognising the ST certificates issued by Meghalaya.
“We are still awaiting responses from other states. Once we receive all the replies we would we able to provide correct information on which states do not recognise ST certificates issued by us,” Lyngdoh added.
Marak informed the House that the particular student failed to get admission in Cotton College despite securing 77 per cent marks, whereas in the college prospectus it was clearly stated that the cut-off marks for ST candidates is 61 per cent.
“The student was listed in the general category despite providing the ST certificate issued by the State,” he added.
It may be mentioned that a total of three students from the State had applied for admissions. Both they were denied admission as the ST certificates they provided along with the admission forms were not recognized.
