SHASHWAT MISHRA – Mumbai Uncensored – 19 January 2022
The Home Ministry sought sixth extension in a row over framing rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 a legislation passed to give citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan which belong to, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians religion. The communities belonging to the above religions who came to India till December 31st, 2014 will not be treated as illegal migrants and will be given Indian citizenship.
The sixth extension sought for the last two years raises questions as according to the Manual on Parliamentary Work, the rules for any legislation should be framed within six months of receiving presidential assent or seek extension from the committees on subordinate legislation, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As the rule suggests, the Home Ministry could not frame rules within six months, hence, it sought extension from the authorized committees, first in June 2020 and then five more times.
‘We have approached the parliamentary committees seeking more time. Hopefully, we will get the extension,’ a home ministry official told PTI. Framing rules for any legislation is essential as for any legislation to come into operation, rule-making is necessary. The government has already clarified that the citizenship will be granted only after the rules are framed.
