Once CAA rules are notified, they will be laid in Parliament, which will be in session from Jan 31 to Feb 9.
TOI has learned that an online system for application, processing and grant of citizenship is being explored by ministry of home affairs (MHA). Eligible migrants may apply via a dedicated portal, using their mobile phones, from wherever they are residing. Though citizenship is a Union subject, the Centre, from time to time, delegates its powers to the state administrative machinery. An online system may not require MHA to delegate powers. However, verification may still have to be done by authorities in districts. Officials said home ministry can keep following up with the district administration to expedite verification. An online system will enable transparency regarding the point of delay in processing such requests.
Even though Thakur’s announcement on Monday led an irked Mamata Banerjee to accuse BJP of raising CAA issue solely for electoral gains, central government sources indicated to TOI that not only CAA rules but several other big decisions – like ending the free movement regime between India and Myanmar, and the notification of enforcement date for Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita – are lined up in the days ahead, with Lok Sabha elections likely to be called in Feb-end or early March.
Thakur’s Lok Sabha constituency, Bongaon, has a significant population of Matuas who fled Bangladesh to escape religious persecution.