By Sagar Chhetri, Gangtok 11 Feb: The tenant and domestic help verification process has thrown life out of gear in the State, the suddenness and communication lapses leading to heavy rush at State Bank of Sikkim [where bank receipts need to made] and police stations [where these documents need to be submitted]. There have also been a lot of misgivings over the inconsiderately short time given for this humungous task and the uncoordinated rollout of the initiative.
One aspect of the prevailing confusion and disquiet was addressed by Sikkim Police today with the clarification that the “character verification” process was intended for more recent arrivals to the State and that the Sikkimese and longer residents were exempt from the process.
Director General of Police, Akshay Sachdeva, today clarified that people possessing any of the following documents – Sikkim Subject Certificate, Certificate of Identification, Sikkim Land Parcha, Residential Certificate or a Voter Card of Sikkim, were not required to submit documents for verification.
The DGP insisted that the tenant and domestic “character verification” process is in the interest of the Sikkimese people and for their protection and to maintain the peace and security in the State.
He also informed that the state government will soon issue a more local-friendly notification with some amendments.
Addressing a press conference here this morning, DGP claimed that the verification process under the Sikkim Tenant and Domestic and Professional Helps (Compulsory Verification) Act, 2008, was progressing smoothly and admitted that there were also some misinformation, rumours and confusion among the people.
He went to great lengths to argue that the ongoing process was required in light of increasing influx and that the present state government was breathing fresh life into a 15 year old Act with some modification in the interest of the people of Sikkim.
On the question of the responsibility of house owners, he informed that house owners and employers themselves, or through people authorised to represent them, are required to visit the Police Stations to “introduce” their non-local tenants or employees.
The bank receipts, he added, need to be paid for by the tenants or employees.
The noticeable crowding at the prescribed police stations has also convinced the State Government to allow the documents to be submitted at police outposts from 15 Feb onwards.
