Citizen has right to object doubtful inclusions, says Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) Coordinator Prateek Hajela

NRC a level-playing field

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 27: If a citizen doubts a person, whose name has been included in the completed draft NRC, is not a genuine Indian, he/she can raise an objection in this regard in the very NRC seva kendra where the person has applied for inclusion. The Citizenship Act has such a provision in it. In such cases, the truth will be found out through hearings.

Talking to The Sentinel, State NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela said: “If a person’s name doesn’t appear in the complete draft NRC, he/she can register his/her claim for inclusion. The veracity of the truth will be ascertained through hearings. Others also have the level-playing field in this regard. If a citizen feels that a name that appears in the complete NRC draft is not an eligible one, he/she can raise an objection in the very NRC seva kendra where the person has applied for the inclusion of his/her name in NRC. In this case, the complainant will have to mention his/her name and address, besides evidences. At the time of hearing both the complainant and the person whose citizenship is under question will be called. The NRC authority will ascertain the veracity of the objection through hearings.”

Meanwhile, barely two days are to go for the publication of the complete NRC draft on July 30, 2018.