Citizenship Act rules 'under preparation', Centre gives time till July
New Delhi, Feb 01: The Central government has given itself more time to frame and implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 after Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha committee on subordinate legislation granted it extension till April 9 and July 9, respectively.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 was notified on December 12, 2019 and it came into force with effect from January 10, 2020.
'The Rules under The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 are under preparation. The Committees on Subordinate Legislation, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have granted extension of time up to April 9 and July 9, respectively to frame these rules under the CAA,' he said in a written reply.
The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi refugees who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.
Several such persons are living in India since the time of partition and are without any legal rights. The Modi government says that this Bill is aimed at correcting a historical wrong.
After the CAA was passed by Parliament, widespread protests were witnessed in the country. Those opposing the CAA contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with the National Register of Citizens is intended to target the Muslim community in India.
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However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had dismissed the allegations and described the protests against the CAA as 'mostly political'. He had asserted that no Indian would lose citizenship due to the Act.
Clashes between pro and anti-CAA groups had spiralled into communal riots in Northeast Delhi last year which had left at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.
The Manual on Parliamentary Work states that 'statutory rules, regulations and bye-laws will be framed within a period of six months from the date on which the relevant statute came into force'.
It also states that in case the ministries and departments are not able to frame the rules within the prescribed period of six months, 'they should seek extension of time from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation stating reasons for such extension', which cannot be more than for a period of three months at a time.