Shillong, April 29, 2014: Social Welfare Department, Govqrnment of Meghalaya hereby clarifies allegations appeared in newspapers fiom time to time rebarding constitution of the State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) for verification of Scheduled Tribe/ Cast Certificates in the State.
The allegations that the SLSC was constituted at the behest and instruction of the Chief Minister were unfounded and not based on facts.
The Supreme Court has Iaid down specific guidelines for all States in Kumari Madhuri Patil’s case to constitute the SLSC to verify facts and evidences of the Scheduled Tribe/Caste status vis-a-vis the objections raised by the candidate or opponent. The SLSC consisted of Joint.
Additional Secretary or any Officer higher in rank of the Director of the Department concerned.
Director, Social Welfare/Tribal Affairs as the case may be and in case of Scheduled Castes another Officer who has intimate knowledge of verification and issuance of the social status certificates. In the case of the Scheduled Tribes, the Research Officer who intimate knowledge of identifying the tribes, tribal communities parts of or groups of tribes of tribal communities.
Accordingly the SLSC was constituted with members vide notification No. SW (S)98/20 10/549, dated 19″ March 20 14. The order passed by the SLSC shall be final and conclusive only subject to proceedings under Article 226 of the constitution.(SP News)
