SHILLONG: A section of the city residents have alleged highhandedness on the part of magistrates deputed at the Office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner for adopting delay tactics while issuing ST certificates to people in need.
Residents of the district, who have been unsuccessful in obtaining the ST certificates, allege that the magistrates are either absent from office or give excuses that important officials were present in their room.
The indifferent attitude of the magistrates causes severe inconveniences to those people who come from remote corners of the district to acquire the ST certificate.
While speaking to reporters, Wanbok Suting, an affected resident, said that he had approached the DC’s office for an ST certificate for his son and was told by the magistrate to come on a fixed day. However, when he reached the office on the designated day, the lady (magistrate) was nowhere to be found.
“There have been two or three occasions when I have arrived at the office to complete the task at Room Number 307 but till date, the work is pending. I fail to understand why the officials do not consider the fact that we are daily labourers,” an angry Suting remarked.
Another lady who did not wish to be named, said, “We are tired of approaching the office time and again. The officials are wasting our time. We urge the higher authorities to look into the matter.”
Some distraught residents recalled that earlier there was a system in the DC’s office where the public was allowed to meet a certain magistrate only after 2 PM, which is a prime example of the highhandedness of the magistrates.
