CAA Web Portal, Mobile App To Accept Citizenship Applications; Govt Releases List Of Documents Required – News18

A day after the notification of the rules of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Ministry of Home Affair on Tuesday launched a web portal to facilitate the process of applying for Indian citizenship under the law. It will also launch a mobile application — CAA-2019 — for the same to be completed via mobile phones.

The rules of the CAA have been notified days before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The web portal provided by the MHA enables eligible applicants — persecuted refugees of six communities (Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis), who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan — to apply for Indian citizenship.

Under this law, those who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, can apply for citizenship. Government sources had said that, “(This is) to give a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades. Citizenship rights will protect their cultural, linguistic and social identity. It will also ensure economic, commercial, free movement, and property purchase rights.”

Here are the list of documents that are required for application:

• Copy of the passport issued by the Government of Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan
• Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners RegionalRegistration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in IndiaBirth certificate issued by a Government authority in Afghanistan or Bangladeshor Pakistan
• School certificate or Educational certificate issued by the School or College orBoard or University authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
• Identity Document of any kind issued by Government of Afghanistan orBangladesh or Pakistan or any other Government authorities or Governmentagencies in these countries
• Any License or Certificate issued by a Government authority of Afghanistan,Bangladesh or Pakistan
• Land or tenancy records in Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan
• Any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or greatgrandparents of the applicant is or had been a citizen of one of the three countries, i.e. Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan
• Any other document issued by a Government authority or a Government agencyin Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan which will establish that the applicantis from Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

Note: The above documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period.

In addition to this, the following documents were listed for the applicant to prove that they entered into India on or before December 31, 2014:

1. Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India
2. Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners RegionalRegistration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
3. Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conductingcensus related survey
4. Government-issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card etc.)
5. Ration Card of the applicant issued in India
6. Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp
7. The birth certificate of the applicant issued in India
8. Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant
9. PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance
10. Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any
11. Public Sector Undertakings of Central Government or State Government or anyfinancial institutions like Banks or any other Public Authority
12. Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer
13. Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including PrivateBanks) or Post Office accounts in the name of the applicant
14. Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of theapplicant
15. Electricity connection papers or Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant
16. Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant
17. Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees
18. State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents
19. School leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India
20. Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or a University or agovernment institution
21. Municipality trade license issued to the applicant
22. Marriage Certificate

Note: (i) The above documents should have been issued by an Indian Authority and will be admissible even beyond their validity period (ii) The documents should establish that the applicant had entered India on or before 31.12.2014

The government notified setting up of an empowered committee at UT/state level and committees at district level to study the validity of the applications made under the act.