ITANAGAR, Mar 9: The Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has demanded the state government for early implementation of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 and issue notification of Draft Rule framed under Section-8 of the Act and renaming of Department of Indigenous Affairs to Department of Indigenous Faith & Cultural Affairs.
In a written representation submitted to the Chief Minister Pema Khandu today, the IFCSAP pointed out that the APFR Act, 1978 was passed way back in 1978 and had received the assent of the President of India on 25th October of the same year. The said Act which was published in Gazette notification mandated the government to make it come into force at once in the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. However,  successive governments in the state has failed to implement it till today, it said.
Urging the CM to implement the APFR Act, 1978 and issue notification of Draft Rule framed under Section-8 of the Act, 19, the Society also made it clear that in the event of the failure of state government to implement the Act, it could go for other options like democratic movements and court intervention.
The Society also appealed Khandu for renaming of Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) to its already notified name Department of Indigenous Faith & Cultural Affairs (DIFCA). Justifying its stand, it stated that the very objective of creating the department was for a government organ that bears an entity reflective of indigenous faith and culture with broad spectrum of promises. Accordingly the department was named as DIFCA after creation and notification too was issued in that name. However, in a subsequent notification, the terms Faith & Culture were omitted for some obvious reasons.
A team of Central Executive Committee members of IFCSAP has also called on Taba Tedir, Minister Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) and requested him to look into the matter as the concerned minister.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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