Village recognition sought using manipulated gazette
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 03 2012:
Certain gazette notifications pertaining to Churachandpur have been either manipulated or forged while seeking Government recognition of some villages.
In the meantime, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe has directed the State Government to be extra cautious while issuing Scheduled Tribe certificates.
A reliable source informed that the forged gazette notifications came to light when relevant documents were examined after some people initiated procedures to pay Hills House Tax of five villages to the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district.
After receiving a report from the DC, the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department sent the relevant documents to the Directorate of Printing and Stationery.
After verification, it was found out that the gazette notification pertaining to recognition of the five villages was never printed by the directorate.
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It was claimed that the gazette notification for the five villages was issued in 2008.However, as per Government records, the five villages have not been granted any official recognition.
There were instances when some officers including a few of IAS rank were suspended after it was discovered that the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department had given recognition to 285 villages without approval of the Government.
Notably, there are 2199 villages in Manipur as per the latest census report.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Minorities has issued certain instructions to the State Government on the procedures which should be followed while issuing ST certificates.
Starting from April 1 this year, all ST certificates should carry house number, village number, signature and seal of the issuing authority etc.
Subsequently, the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills instructed the District Magistrates/Additional District Magistrates to check whether ST certificates were issued by following the guidelines or not.
The Commission has also instructed the State Government to make operational all Eklavya Model Residential Schools built at Gamnom, Sapermeina, Moreh and Tamenglong.
It has also demanded the State Government to submit an action taken report about medical infrastructure.