New Order On Assam’s NRC

>> Why in news?

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) authorities in Assam ordered the deletion of “ineligible” names that had erroneously made it into the prepared register.

>> Details

• As per the laws governing the preparation of the NRC, persons falling in the above categories cannot be included in the NRC.

• One explanation that is offered is that such persons may have got their names included using fraudulent documents and by deceitful means.

• The other reason that officials often cite is that there is no synchronised real time database, which reflects the status of a suspected ‘foreigner’ to the NRC officials.

• The NRC process has hit a wall as of now since the rejection orders to the 19 lakh excluded persons, which will allow them to appeal against the exclusion in the Foreigners’ Tribunals.

• Officials have cited the Covid-19 pandemic as well as discrepancies in some rejection orders, which need to be re-checked, as reasons for the delay.

>> NRC

• The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a register of all Indian citizens whose creation is mandated by the 2003 amendment of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

• Its purpose is to document all the legal citizens of India so that the illegal immigrants can be identified and deported.

• It has been implemented for the state of Assam starting in 2013–2014.

• The first NRC in Assam was prepared in 1951, after the 1951 census.