‘HC hasn’t ordered reinstatement of discharged officers’
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: The Assam government is going to be tougher in the issuance of Aadhaar cards to adults. The state cabinet had a detailed discussion on this issue so as to take a decision to this effect very soon.
Speaking to the media here today, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The need for a tougher Aadhaar regime arises as Bangladeshi nationals entering the state, some way or the other, manage to get Aadhaar cards generated from the state. Though an Aadhaar card is not considered a citizenship proof, it enables foreigners to avail of numerous facilities. We're going to authorize the district commissioners to give the final nod for the issuance of Aadhaar cards after proper verification. We're going to hold discussions on this issue with all concerned."
The Chief Minister said that the state government would also toughen the rules for the issuance of birth certificates as well. "If any persons try to get birth certificates on a back date, they have to go through the verification by the district commissioners," he said.
The Chief Minister said, "Almost all adults in the state have got their Aadhaar cards. If more adult people apply for Aadhaar cards now, they will get this document after proper verification by the district commissioners only. This will ensure that no illegal migrant can get an Aadhaar card."
The Chief Minister said, "We pushed back 20 more Bangladeshis as part of our ongoing efforts to detect and push back illegal infiltrators. The decision to toughen Aadhaar card issuance rules will only aid our efforts in this direction."
On the Gauhati High Court's recent order on a section of officers selected by the APSC, the Chief Minister said, "We have gone through the judgement. Nowhere did the court say that the dismissed officers should be reinstated. Barring the APS offers, the court said that the discharge orders of the civil officers should be simplified (simpliciter) rather than stigmatic so that they do not face hurdles in getting jobs in the private sector. In the case of the APS officers, the court asked the state government to draw departmental proceedings (DPs) against them and take the final decisions within three months. The court issued such an order as the officers concerned have completed their probation periods. We'll decide later if at all we need to move the Supreme Court against the order."
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