COVID-19: NRC ‘Rejection Order’ distribution process again shrouds in uncertainty

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Uncertainty has once again shrouded the process of issuing ‘Rejection Orders’ to the people found ineligible for entry in the final NRC (National Register of Citizens) what with the NRC authority deciding to postpone the course of action as a preventive measure over the possible spread of COVID-19.

State Coordinator NRC Hitesh Dev Sarma told The Sentinel, “Earlier, there was a plan to issue the ‘Rejection Orders’ from March 20, 2020. But owing to the prevailing scenario over coronavirus, it will not be possible to begin the distribution process from tomorrow. The public will be duly informed as to when the process would be started.”

Earlier on the first day (March 2) of the Budget session, the State government had also informed the Assam Assembly that the State NRC authority was planning to issue the ‘Rejections orders’ from March 20, 2020.

When asked about the scanning status of ‘Speaking Orders’ connected with the ‘Rejection Orders’, Sarma added, “This exercise is almost completed.”

The ‘Speaking Orders’ are prepared by the NRC Disposing Officers; and these orders spell out the reasons for rejection of people from the final NRC. The ‘Rejection slips’ or ‘Rejection Orders’ are issued to the ineligible persons by the NRC authority based on these officially preserved ‘Speaking Orders’.

Within 120 days after receiving the respective ‘Rejection Orders’, the ineligible persons will have to approach the Foreigners Tribunals (FT). While issuing the respective ‘Rejection Slips/Orders’, the FTs will have to give their opinions as to whether the persons concerned are foreigners or Indian citizens. The FTs will have to also state whether an ineligible person will be eligible for inclusion in the final NRC that was published on August 31, 2019.

The State NRC authority found 19,06,657 persons ineligible for inclusion in the final NRC. Altogether 3,30,27,661 persons through 68,37,660 applications had applied for inclusion in the final NRC. In other words, 3,11,21,004 persons names were found eligible for inclusion in final national citizens’ register.

The process of NRC update was started in Assam as per order of the Supreme Court of India in 2013. The process of receipt of NRC application forms started during the end of May 2015 and ended on August 31, 2015.

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