No residential form circulated, says Hills DM

MP, 4 November, Darjeeling: The picture of a form has gone viral on social media that claims that henceforth for Residential Forms documents dating back to 1950 need to be furnished. Many have dubbed it a conspiracy to label the Gorkhas as refugees. 

The form is titled "Government of West Bengal, Office of the Sub Divisional Officer, Sadar, Darjeeling." 

In the Submitted Documents part of the form, the 2nd clause states "As proof of Permanent Citizenship: i. Land deed/land tax receipt since 1950. ii. Voter list proving residence since 1950 iii. Birth certificate proving residences since 1950 iv. Ration Card proving residence since 1950 v. Any other Government documents proving residence of the family since 1950."

Reacting to this, Joyoshi Das Gupta, District Magistrate, Darjeeling stated: "We are aware of this. It has been circulating for quite some time. No such form has been issued from the SDO office. It is a rumor."

The DM stated that similar complaints are coming from the plains of the district regarding Bangladeshi settlers and from the Hills regarding Nepal citizens getting Indian ids. 

"We have asked officers all over the district to be more careful and ensure no ineligible person gets government documents anywhere in the district as this district has borders with so many countries," added the DM. 

Recently, Nira Sharma, Councillor of Ward 1 of Darjeeling Municipality was found to be a citizen of Ilam district of Nepal. 

"She had not surrendered her Nepal citizenship nor has she enrolled as per Ministry of Home Affairs norms. A complaint has been lodged under Citizen's Act and Foreigner's Act. Her name will be struck off the electoral rolls," stated the DM.

Source & Courtesy: http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/no-residential-form-circulated-says-hills-dm-269574