Centre Proposes To Double The Time Limit To Appeal Against Exclusion From NRC

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed to double the limitation period available for filing an appeal against non-inclusion of persons in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, after its final publication.

The Union Minister, Amit Shah met the Chief Minister of Assam, Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary of Assam and other senior officers on August 19 to review and deliberate upon issues related to final publication of the register.

In the press release issued in this behalf, the Ministry clarified that "Under the provisions of Foreigners Act, 1946 and Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, only Foreigners Tribunals are empowered to declare a person as a foreigner. Thus, non-inclusion of a person's name in NRC does not by itself amount to him/her being declared as a foreigner". Accordingly, all persons who have been excluded from the list shall be entitled to prefer an appeal in the Foreign Tribunals.

The limitation period for filing an appeal before Foreign Tribunals is sixty days. However, "As it may not be possible for all those excluded from final NRC to file the appeal within the prescribed time, MHA will amend the rules to increase the present time limit of filing of appeals in FTs from 60 days to 120 days regarding exclusion from final NRC. The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 are also being amended accordingly", the Ministry said.

The State government will ensure that all the needy people who will have been excluded from the register are provided legal aid. It will also set up sufficient number of tribunals at convenient locations.

The final register is due for publication on August 31 and the central armed paramilitary forces are being deployed in the region to maintain law and order situation.