NRC: 3.5 lakh submit claims, objections out of 40 lakh excluded

Out of the 40 lakh people, whose names were missing from the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC), only about 3.5 lakh people have submitted applications for inclusion of their names in the NRC. The 3.5 lakh have submitted relevant documents claiming that they are Indian citizens, according to a PTI report.

Even after two months, authorities have received less than 100 applications challenging the inclusion of the names of suspected illegal immigrants in the NRC.

In a high-level meeting in New Delhi, this issue of low turnout in the claims and objections period had been discussed. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain, among others.

The Supreme Court has also finalised a set of standard operating procedure (SOP) for disposal of claims and objections in the updation of the NRC.

The draft NRC was published on July 30 and included the names of 2.9 crore people out of the total applications of 3.29 crore.

Following a directive of the Supreme Court, the process of filing claims and objections to the draft NRC began on September 25 and it will come to an end on December 15.

Initially, the top court had allowed the claimants to rely on any of the 10 documents — land documents, permanent residential certificate issued from outside the state, passport, Life Insurance Corporation of India policy, any license or certificate issued by any government authority.

Document showing service or employment under the government or public sector undertaking, bank or post office accounts, birth certificates issued by a competent authority, educational certificate issued by boards or universities and records or processes pertaining to court provided they are part of processing in a judicial or revenue court.

However, on November 1, the court allowed five additional documents to reply upon for inclusion of names in the NRC.

The additional papers are — 1951 NRC, electoral roll up to March 24, 1971, citizenship certificate, refugee registration certificate and ration card. For the claims and objections process, forms are available in 2,500 'Seva Kendras' in Assam, where people can file their appeal in their respective areas, another source said.

People can file corrections to their names that are in the draft and also raise objections against suspected foreigners.

There has been a huge controversy over exclusion of 40 lakh people from the draft NRC.