>> 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.