MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024
Team Herald
The government plans to announce the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) well before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to government sources. The CAA, passed in December 2019, aims to grant citizenship to eligible migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan belonging to six minority communities. These communities include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, and Parsis, who migrated to India before December 31, 2014.
Although the CAA came into force on January 10, 2020, the rules necessary for its implementation have not been notified, leading to a delay in the process. The government is considering an online system for the application, processing, and granting of citizenship under the CAA, allowing eligible migrants to apply through a dedicated portal. The online process will require applicants to declare the year they entered India without the need for additional documents.
The government official mentioned that the rules are ready, and the online portal is in place, ensuring a transparent and efficient process. Applicants who have already applied for citizenship may not need to reapply. The verification process will be handled by the district administration, but the Home Ministry, as the authority receiving the applications, will monitor and expedite the verification process.
The delay in implementing the CAA had raised concerns, with protests and criticism from the Muslim community and opposition parties. The government attributes the delay to the pandemic. Despite the controversy, the government official affirmed that the rules for CAA would be notified before the Lok Sabha elections, addressing the long-awaited implementation of the law.
