Northeast Desk, 24th May: The Meghalaya government has introduced a new requirement for applicants from areas under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to furnish a Khasi tribe certificate to obtain a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate. Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced the decision on May 23, stating that a notification will be issued soon.
Minister Lyngdoh explained that a new clause has been added to the existing guidelines, making it compulsory for applicants to submit a tribe certificate from the competent authorities under KHADC. “Apart from the existing guidelines for receipt and disposal of applications, one more clause has been included, making it compulsory for applicants to submit a tribe certificate from the competent authorities under KHADC, which shall be mandatory,” he said.
Although the tribe certificate issued by KHADC has always been a valid legal document, it was not previously a prerequisite for obtaining an ST certificate. The minister clarified that the new requirement ensures that anyone seeking to register or claim an ST certificate must possess a tribe certificate issued by the KHADC as a pre-condition.
This move aims to streamline the process of verifying the tribal status of applicants from the Khasi Hills region, ensuring proper documentation and authenticity before granting ST certificates. The government’s decision is expected to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of tribal status verification in the area.