Tennydard seeks reply from State-level Scrutiny Committee on action taken by it
SHILLONG: Tennydard Marak, who is following up the ST status issue of the Chief Minister, has sought reply from the State Level Scrutiny Committee for Scheduled Tribes on the action taken by the Committee regarding the comments sought by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on the case.
It was on March 19, 2014 that the Meghalaya Governor through a notification constituted the State Level Scrutiny Committee for verification of SC/ST applications.
Marak on Tuesday filed an RTI with the Public Information Officer, and Chairman, State Level Scrutiny Committee for Scheduled Tribes under Social Welfare Department seeking the action taken report by the Committee.
“How many cases (ST/SC applications) have been verified so far and how many cases of fraud have been detected by the Committee for the last one year?” Marak asked through the RTI.
Marak also sought to know whether the direction of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the Madhuri Patil case where it was specified that after obtaining a community certificate, the individual shall apply for validation to theState Level Scrutiny Committee well in advance, was followed.
“The lack of any effort in this regard is also likely to militate against any claims of bona fide by the claimant. Whether the aforesaid direction has been followed? What is the status of it?” stated the RTI query.
Marak pointed out that in the letter dated 14/02/2014 earmarked as “most immediate court matter ” addressed to WMS Pariat, the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya by Dr. R. Vijaykumar, Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi on the basis of directives issued to the Commission on 20/01/2014 by virtue of the final order of the Supreme Court, in Para 2 of the Commission letter dated 19/09/2013, it was clearly stated that “the state Government was specifically directed to furnish comments with action taken report within 30 days. A reminder was also sent on 28/11/2013 pointing out the failure to send a report as requested stressing the Constitutional mandate of the Commission.”
Further, Para 3 of the Commission letter stated that “there is now no evidence of this having been done by the Government of Meghalaya”.
The Para 4 of the Commission letter wanted the issue of ST status examined by the State Level Scrutiny Committee and to send the comments and action taken report within four weeks of receipt of the letter so that the Commission may consider the issue and accordingly place the material before the Supreme Court where the case is pending .
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes had made the request as early as September 19, 2013.
Marak also wanted to know why the Meghalaya Government failed to furnish its comments and action taken report within the stipulated time in spite of reminders.
“What is the reason for such delay? Is it because the comments asked for is against none other than the present Chief Minister of Meghalaya,” said the RTI query.
Marak also said that there were repeated requests from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi to the Meghalaya Government for cooperation in obeying the deadline set by the Court for submission of the affidavit on oath filed by the Chief Minister on 31/03/2014 before the State Level Scrutiny Committee to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, as well as before the Supreme Court of India for final adjudication with necessary comments. The RTI applicant wanted answers on why there is delay on adhering to the request of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.