Post-NRC: Assam Government Appoints 221 Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) Members

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Though the scenario is still not clear as to when the rejection orders to ineligible applicants will be issued by the NRC (National Register of Citizens) authority, the State government has commenced its role in the post-NRC publication phase. As part of the management plan in the post-publication phase of the NRC on August 31, the State government has already appointed the members (judges) for the 200 newly set up Additional Foreigners Tribunals and also filled up the 21 vacant posts in some of the existing 100 Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).

The Home and Political Department has issued a notification regarding appointment of members to the newly set up 200 Additional Foreigners Tribunals and existing tribunals.

Talking to The Sentinel, Commissioner and Secretary (Home and Political) Ashutosh Agnihotri said, “Following the selection made by the Gauhati High Court, the Government has appointed 221 members of the FTs for a period of one year. Of them, 200 will be for the Additional FTs while 21 members have been appointed to fill up the vacancies in the existing FTs.”

He further said, “The 221 newly appointed members of the Additional FTs have already been attached to the existing FTs for a short phase so that they get acquainted with the FT processes. There will also be a two-day orientation programme for them at the Administrative Staff College in Khanapara here from September 28.” Among those who will be present on the occasion are Gauhati High Court Judge and the top brass of the Home and Political department as well as from the border branch of Assam Police.

The Commissioner and secretary also pointed out, “Besides, appointment of the 2,000 staffs in the Additional FTs will be made shortly. The Assam Police Recruitment Board (APRB) has already completed the interview process. We expect that the results will be announced soon.”

The government is planning to make the new 200 Additional FTs operational by October this year. Once they are activated, altogether 300 FTs will function across the State.

The Assam government had moved the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the setting up of 1,000 Additional FTs before the publication of the final NRC. However, the MHA approved the establishment of 400 Additional FTs. Of these, 200 are being set up in the first phase and the remaining ones will be set up in the second phase.

The responsibilities of these FTs are crucial in the post-publication phase of the NRC. People who failed to make it to the final NRC can appeal to any of the FTs within 120 days from receiving the rejection order from the NRC authority. If the left-out persons do not apply by themselves then the respective district administrations are also authorized to refer such names to the FTs. After the hearings and close scrutiny of the relevant documents of the persons concerned, the FT members will have to deliver the opinions (orders) as to whether the persons are Indians or foreigners and whether appellant is eligible for NRC or not.

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