Assam Civil Service officer Babulal Sarma was on Saturday appointed as the NRC State Coordinator (in-charge) in place of Prateek Hajela, who ensured publication of the final version of the National Register of Citizens on August 31 under supervision of the Supreme Court.

Earlier, thestate government had appointed Hitesh Dev Sarma as the successor of Hajela, hisappointment drew criticism from different sections of society.

It may bementioned here that HD Sarma's social media posts have gone viral across allpolitical spectrums and bureaucracy and questions were raised about hisimpartiality in the NRC process. Later, various political leaders andorganisation asked CM Sarbananda Sonowal to appoint an impartial person toreplace Hajela. According to sources, CM Sarbananda Sonowal asked Hitesh DevSarma to lay low following the controversy erupted over his series of socialmedia outburst against Prateek Hajela.

Meanwhile,Sarma reportedly took leave on one-month from November 15 to December 15, andthe NRC has been left without a guardian.