PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party has welcomed the State government’s decision to review domicile certificates and claimed that the scope of the scrutiny will expand if needed. BJP State president and Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt said that the government is taking firm action against those attempting to alter the State’s demography. He stated that the review aims to identify irregularities in certificates issued over the past three years. He added that the move follows complaints received by the administration. Bhatt said that the government will not compromise on the State’s demographic balance or the identity of Devbhoomi. He stated that the government is committed to ensuring that State resources and welfare schemes reach eligible local residents. He said that the review will help identify those trying to misuse benefits or violate rules. Responding to Congress’s criticism that the scrutiny period should extend beyond three years, Bhatt said that the government has no objection to past inquiries but the current focus is on identifying beneficiaries using false documents. He said that the opposition’s demand lacks clarity and reflects political motives. He added that the Congress may face difficulties when the Election Commission begins the State-wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls process, citing the party’s stance during a similar exercise in Bihar. He accused the Congress of taking different positions in different regions and said that people in the State understand these contradictions.
