NRC update reaching crucial phase
House-to-house distribution of NRC forms after May 15
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, May 7: The 1951 NRC update process in Assam is heading into its crucial phase with the house to house distribution of NRC forms. The distribution of NRC forms, the printing of which are currently going on, will begin after May 15. The printed NRC forms will be dispatched to all district headquarters by May 11-12. This was revealed by Prateek Hazela, State coorditor, NRC, while talking to The Sentinel here on Thursday.
Hazela said the printing of NRC forms has been started following the approval of the Registrar General of India (RGI).
“After the distribution of NRC forms, people will have to fill the forms with legacy data code numbers which have been made available by the NRC Sewa Kendras and the NRC website. If a person hasn’t found his or her legacy data code yet but he or she has been living in Assam since 1971 or before, the person must fill the NRC form with altertive prescribed documents. The filled-in NRC forms should be submitted at the Sewa Kendras within July,” he said.
It may be mentioned that 2,500 NRC Sewa Kendras have been set up all over the State.
Hazela said, “After the submission of the filled-in NRC form, an acknowledgement slip will be issued by the Sewa Kendra to the person concerned for future use,” adding, “25,000 volunteers have been engaged by the State government for the house to house distribution of NRC forms.”
“An advertisement campaign will be started by the government to help people fill the NRC forms correctly. Already 55 lakh people in the State have successfully collected their legacy data codes. Those who are yet to collect their legacy data codes should collect it soon to avoid future hassles,” he added.
Sources said though response of the indigenous and Assamese people in the upper Assam districts towards the NRC update process has increased than earlier, it is still not satisfactory.
The 1951 NRC is based on the 1951 census containing mes of 64 lakh citizens. The decision to update the 1951 NRC was taken at a tripartite meeting held between the Central government, the Assam government and the AASU on May 5, 2005 in New Delhi.
The present NRC update exercise is being held in the State under the supervision of the Supreme Court.