Dispur moves MHA for term extension of 200 additional Foreigners Tribunals

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The term of the additional 200 FTs (Foreigners Tribunals) will expire in September-end. Dispur has moved the Union MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs), seeking an extension of the validity of the additional FTs by another term.

The State Government formed the 200 additional FTs with approval from the MHA after the final NRC (National Register of Citizens) got published on August 31, 2019. The very purpose of forming these FTs was to give opinions on the nationality status of the over 19 lakh NRC ineligible applicants.

Since the NRC got stuck in a deadlock, the State Government did pay salaries to the 200 Additional FT members (judges) without giving them an assignment.

The State Government attached the 200 additional FT members to the existing 100 regular FTs in the state.

However, following intervention by the Gauhati High Court recently, the additional FT members got work assignments after approval from the MHA. The Additional FT members have started disposing of the pending cases in the 100 regular FTs through hearing.

In its letters, the State Home and Political Department told the MHA that the need for the 200 additional FT members would arise after the NRC authorities issuing rejection slips to the NRC ineligible applicants. And hence the MHA should extend the validity of the 200 Additional FT members by another term, the letter said. At present, the additional FT members were disposing of the referral cases pending in the 100 regular FTs, theDepartment added in the letter.

Also Read: Give only opinions, not order on citizenship status: Dispur to Foreigners Tribunals

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