STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: With the final NRC (National Register of Citizens) set to be published on August 31, the State government has decided to extend help to those people who would be needing legal aid after their names would not figure in the final NRC. The assistance will be extended through the District legal Service Authorities. The step has been taken as non-inclusion of a person in the NRC does not by itself amount to him/her being declared as a foreigner.
At the same time, the State government is leaving nothing to chances insofar as the law-and-order situation in the post-publication phase of the NRC is concerned. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been taking threadbare regular inputs on all aspects that might arise during the post-publication phase of the NRC. The State government has convened an urgent meeting on the NRC with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the Superintendents of Police (SPs) on Friday. Chief Minister will be present on the occasion.
The update process of the NRC — presently underway only in Assam — is being carried out by the Registrar General of India and the entire process is under the direct monitoring of the Supreme Court of India.
The Governments of India and Assam have already decided to extend the time limit from 60 to 120 days for filing of appeals in the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) in the post-publication phase of the NRC. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday made the necessary amendments in this regard in the Foreigners (Tribunals) Amendment Order, 2019.
The names of people who have been left out of the NRC can be referred to the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) either by the government or the individuals concerned. Altogether 300 FTs would be checking such cases and giving their judgements. It may be mentioned that only the FTs are empowered to declare a person as a foreigner under provisions of Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Foreigners Tribunal Order, 1964. The State government will shortly inform the public through a public notice the designated FTs where the concerned persons will be able to make their respective appeals.
Meanwhile, the Home and Political Department of the State government is in close touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has already had several rounds of parleys with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on various aspects of the NRC.