ST bodies demand immediate issuance of caste certificates

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Jan 12: The people belonging to  Scheduled Caste (Hills) community been deprived of reserved facilities in various educatiol establishments including  Medical, Engineering, Veteriry and other colleges of  higher learning among others and jobs in various government departments and public sector undertakings due to the delay in issuance of caste certificates. In spite of several reminders, the standing order issued by the government has not materialized till date which has put the carrier of students and educated unemployed youth belonging to the ST (H) communities in jeopardy as they need to show the caste certificate to avail themselves of the facilities provided by the government.

The youth are facing immense hardships due to the callousness of the authorities concerned. As a result, it is a deprivation of their constitutiol rights and the people belonging to the community are facing immense hardships. These were among the points stated in a memorandum submitted by 5 Khasi-Jaintia and Rongmei welfare organizations to Cachar DC S Viswathan on Monday.

It may be mentioned that the district administration of Karimganj and Hailakandi have already started issuing ST (H) certificates through their DCs concerned as per the directions of the state government but in Cachar district, the process has not started till date. As per the rules, office of the Deputy Commissioner has been solely authorized to issue caste certificates to people belonging to ST (H) community.

It was further stated in the memorandum that as per Para 3 of the standing Government order, the authorities concerned should permit ‘Barak Valley Khasi-Jaintia Welfare Organization and Rongmei ga Council of Assam, the parent body of Khasi and Romgmei gas, to give recommendations in this regard for the communities residing in the district. The members urged the DC concerned to look into the issue and take appropriate steps on a priority basis to provide caste certificates to the people at the earliest.

The members cautioned the authorities concerned to start the process before January 26, failing which the bodies will launch massive democratic agitations. The memorandum was signed by members of Barak Valley Khasi-Jaintia Welfare Organization (central body), Rongmei ga Council of Assam, Khasi Students’ Union of Barak Valley, All Assam Rongmei ga Students’ Union and Khasi-Jaintia Development Demand Committee. A copy of the memorandum has been sent to the Registrar of Gauhati High Court, the office of additiol chief secretary to state government, the office of deputy secretary to the state government and the superintendent of police, Cachar.