New Delhi: Union Minister Ajay Mishra on Sunday said that the final draft of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, commonly known as CAA, is most likely to be ready by March 30 next year.
Addressing a gathering of the Matua community in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, which consists of people who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, the BJP MP assured that nobody can snatch citizenship rights from them, reported PTI.
"The process to roll out CAA has gained momentum in the last couple of years... some issues are being sorted out. Nobody can snatch citizenship rights from the Matuas. By March next year, the final draft of the CAA is expected to be ready for coming into force," Mishra said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
He was joined by local BJP MP and Union minister Santanu Thakur at the event.
It is to be noted that the CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan entering India before December 31, 2014.
Reacting to the claim, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said that the BJP only remembered the Matua community and CAA during elections. "The BJP remembers Matuas and the CAA only during elections. The saffron party will never be able to roll out CAA in West Bengal."
"The BJP's false claims are becoming clear to the Matuas and others. The saffron party will be rejected by all in next year's elections," he added.
Sen said that the Trinamool Congress has ensured the rights of Matuas as citizens of the country.
"We will continue to work for the community throughout the year, unlike the BJP will only gives false promises," he added.
Notably, though the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed in both Houses of Parliament in December 2019, the rules to implement the Act have not been framed till now, which is usually accomplished within six months after the President of India signs on a law.
If any ministry or department fails to do so within the prescribed period, they must seek an extension from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, stating reasons for such an extension, reported IANS.
The Union Home Ministry has already taken several extensions to frame the CAA rules.