Centre Seeks Another 6 Months To Frame CAA Rules

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked for another six months to frame the rules of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), a legislation designed to accelerate the citizenship process of six non-Muslim undocumented communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Ministry has written to the subordinate committee on parliamentary legislation of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

It is to be noted that the Act cannot be implemented if the rules are not framed.

The centre had previously asked for a six-month extension on January 9 on the grounds that the construction of the rules require more consultation and the delay is on account of COVID-19 pandemic.

A senior government official has verified that the request for an extension till October 9 has been sent to the parliamentary committee. This happens to be the fifth extension sought by the government.

Meanwhile, the Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act on December 11, 2019 with the President approving the legislation on December 12.

The ministry had informed that the Act will come into effect from January 10, 2020. Earlier, the Ministry had sought time from the committees till April 9, 2021, which was later extended to July 9, 2021. 

A request was made to further extend the period to January 9, then April 9 and now till October 9 to notify the rules which are to be published in the Gazette of India.

Under the provision of the CAA, members of six minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who entered India before December 31, 2014 will be granted citizenship. The legislation will also exempt the members of the six communities from any criminal case under Foreigners Act, 1946 and Passport Act, 1920.

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