Rautahat, February 16:

It has been revealed that at least 10 non-Madhesi people in the district have verified their citizenship certificates as Madhesis to vie for the quota allocated for Madhesis in government jobs.

The case was revealed after the Public Service Commission (PSC) published the results of a written test conducted in July.

The non-Madhesi candidates applied for the quota allocated for the Madhesis after verifying their citizenship certificates as Madhesis from the District Administration Office.

Madhavraj Dhakal, a kharidar at Rautahat DAO, and Keshav Bhattarai,

secretary of Judibela VDC in the district, had applied for the jobs under the quota for Madhesis after they presented themselves as Madhesis.

Madhes-based parties in the district have expressed concern about the issue. “Though non-Madhesis are active to get jobs allocated for Madhesis, the DAO is not showing any concern to prevent the malpractice,” they alleged.

The PSC reported the issue to the Home ministry after the Madhes-based parties warned of agitation if the issue was not immediately resolved.

Following the report, the Ministry has sought clarification from Birendranath Sharma, under-secretary at the Rautahat DAO, who verified the duo as Madhesis.

Meanwhile, Sharma admitted that he had verified 15 persons as Madhesis. He, however, said he had been directed to terminate the verification of two persons as Madhesis.

Saying that investigation into the case is underway, central regional administrator Anandaraj Dotel said the Home Ministry would take action against the official involved in verifying non-Madhesis as Madhesis.

Central member of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Ganesh Yadav said his party’s attention had been drawn at the issue.

He also warned of agitation if the verifications of non-Madhesis as Madhesis were not immediately terminated.