Non-inclusion in NRC doesn’t make one a foreigner: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday said that the Assam government will make adequate arrangements for people to appeal against the non-inclusion of their names in the National Register of Citizens.

A ministerial press release said that every individual, whose name does not figure in the final register, can represent their case to foreigners’ tribunals.

“Every individual, whose name does not figure in the final NRC, can represent his her case in front of the appellate authority i.e. Foreigner Tribunals (FT). Under the provisions of Foreigners Act 1946 and Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964, only Foreigners Tribunals are empowered to declare a person as a foreigner. Thus, non-inclusion of a person’s name in NRC does not by itself amount to him/her being declared as a foreigner,” the press release said.

The decisions were taken during a review meeting held on Tuesday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The release also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will increase the present time limit of filing of appeals regarding exclusion from the final list in foreigners’ tribunals from 60 days to 120 days.

“As it may not be possible for all those excluded from final NRC to file the appeal within the prescribed time, MHA will amend the rules to increase the present time limit of filing of appeals in FTs from 60 days to 120 days regarding exclusion from final NRC” release added.

The Home Ministry’s decision comes amid apprehension of tension ahead of the August 31 publication of the NRC that may render thousands in Assam “stateless”.