The Meghalaya government constituted State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) today directed the All North East Indigenous Garo Law Promoters' Association (ANEIGLP) to file showcause in affidavits and appear before the committee on March 31.
In compliance with the direction of the Supreme Court order issued on January 20, the SLSC has been tasked with the responsibility to verify SC/ST applications and guidelines for issuance of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe certificates.
The Supreme Court order came following the petition filed by the ANEIGLPA and a resident of Nokgilawe village, East Garo Hills District, Tennydard M Marak for verification against the Schedule Tribe (ST) certificate of the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and his brother Zenith Sangma, presently holding the Sports and Youth Affairs portfolios.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), New Delhi had directed the SLSC to submit it's report to the Commission by March 21 for filing reply in the Supreme Court within the stipulated time.
"The committee directed the ANEIGLP and others to file show-cause in affidavits and to appear in person or through appointed counsel before this panel on March 31," SLSC Chairman T Dkhar said in an order issued here.
He said, "The committee, having seen the aforesaid documents and taking into consideration the urgency of the instant case lying before the Supreme Court is satisfied to take cognizance of the matter."
According to the order, the committee is also of the opinion that since the instant case is lying before the apex court, the matter will be expedited on a regular basis without adjournment.
