New Delhi:Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the central government has constituted a ‘powerful committee’ to monitor the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in West Bengal. This committee, formed under the rules notified in 2024, will take over the responsibility of scrutiny and final approval of applications related to CAA in the state.
This committee will examine the citizenship applications of persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. It will also ensure that the applications are complete and meet all the standards prescribed under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
What is the role of the committee?
The new committee will act as the final authority to review and approve citizenship applications filed under the CAA. Its main objective is to dispose of pending applications and implement the process in a systematic manner.
Who is included in the committee?
According to the official order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the composition of this empowered committee constituted for West Bengal is as follows
chairman:
Deputy Registrar General, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal
Key Members:
- An officer of Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) (Deputy Secretary level or above)
- An officer (Under Secretary level or above) nominated by the Regional Foreign Registration Officer (FRRO)
- An officer (Under Secretary level or above) nominated by the State Informatics Officer of the National Informatics Center (NIC), West Bengal
- Post Master General of West Bengal or his designated postal officer (Deputy Secretary level or above)
special invitee member
- Representative of the Office of the Principal Secretary (Home) or Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to the Government of West Bengal
- Representative of the Regional Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Railways
Eligibility and Application Process
Under Rule 11A, people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who had come to India till December 31, 2014, are eligible for citizenship.
All these applicants will have to submit their applications through electronic means. The committee will ensure that all documents and conditions are in accordance with Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Political importance and ‘Matua’ community
This decision holds important significance in the politics of West Bengal.
Matua community’s expectations
Lakhs of Matua and Bengali Hindus who have migrated from Bangladesh have been waiting for Indian citizenship for a long time. This community is considered an influential vote bank in the state.
TMC’s stance
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) says that CAA may affect the voting rights of Matua community. Party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has appealed to the community to stay away from CAA camps. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made it clear that she will not allow CAA to be implemented in Bengal.
The formation of this powerful committee by the Center is being considered an important step towards removing the confusion and deadlock regarding CAA in West Bengal.
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