CM’s ST status case verdict delayed
SHILLONG: Red tape has delayed the pronouncement of verdict on the ST status case of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
Tennydard M Marak, who is following up the ST status issue of the Chief Minister, has alleged on Monday that the Chief Secretary WMS Pariat had been silent on the letter of President of India and Chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST),New Delhi addressed to him seeking reply on the status of action taken on the issue by the Government.
The President’s Secretariat had issued a letter on March 7 this year addressed to the Chief Secretary and a copy to Tennydard directing that action taken on the petition should be communicated to the petitioner (Tennydard) directly with an intimation to the President’s Secretariat.
The letter was issued by the Under Secretary, President’s Secretariat Chirabrata Sarkar.
According to Tennydard, besides not replying to the letter from the President’s Secretariat, the Chief Secretary had also delayed in replying to all the letters of the Chairperson, NCST.
“For example, to the first letter dated 19/09/2013, the reply from the Chief Secretary came after 70 days on 29/11/2013 in connection with the action taken report on the ST status issue of the Chief Minister,” Tennydard said.
Moreover, the Chairperson, NCST has again sought comment and action taken report through his letter of February 14 this year which again was not replied to and when the NCST sent a reminder on March 18, the Chief Secretary started the process of inquiry in a hurried manner by constituting a State level Scrutiny Committee on March 19 this year, Tennydard alleged. “Without getting any reply from Chief Secretary, the Director, NCST was compelled to inform the delay vide its letter dated 27/03/2014 to the Assistant Registrar, PIL (Writ) , Supreme Court of India”, Tennydard said. The petitioner further alleged that Pariat who was to retire on December 31, 2013 was granted an extension for six more months and “this may be because he is trying to protect the Chief Minister showing his gratitude for the favour extended to him”.
The Chief Secretary was not available for comments when approached his office on Monday.