1,000 FTs to handle post-NRC rush

1000 Foreigners Tribunal, backed by a digital ecosystem offoreigners, are being set up in Assam to handle the post-NRC rush offoreigner's case.

The official source informed that 200 FTs are coming up inthe next two months.

The Supreme Court has directed to set up a robust mechanism

To tackle the cases after the publication of the finalNational Register of Citizens (NRC) on July 31.

According to sources, Secretary (Border Management) in theHome Ministry, BR Sharma last week held a meeting to discuss the proposal ofthe Government of Assam for creation of e-foreigners tribunals (eFTs) andcreation of 1,000 additional FTs.

The Central government is also in the process of giving itsapproval to the State government's proposal to set up eFTs for those who weredeclared illegal immigrants. The tribunals will be required after thepublication of the final NRC, a list of Assam's residents, on July 31.

The Supreme Court had said in its latest order that in themeeting held on May 24, the following steps had been envisaged for filling upthe posts of members to man the 200 FTs in phase-I.

The registry of the Guwahati High Court shall advertise byJune 10-12 for selection of members for the 200 FTs in phase-I.

The interview process is to commence from July 15 with theresults likely to be declared by August 20. Once the entire recruitment processfor selection of members is completed, the newly recruited members are to joinduty by September 1.

Further, it has been proposed that a two-day orientationprogramme for the newly appointed members be conducted before the member'sreport for duty.

Advocates not below the age of 35 years of age with at leastseven years of practice or retired judicial officers from the Assam JudicialService; or retired IAS or ACS officers (not below the rank of Secretary andAdditional Secretary) having experience in quasi-judicial works would beeligible for appointment as members of the FTs. The retirement age of themembers so appointed will be 67 years.