CAA notified: MHA forms panel, lays down SOP for granting citizenship

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday in a gazette notification announced the formation of an empowered committee in the states or Union territories for granting citizenship under the notified Citizenship Amendment Act. The panel comprises members including an officer in the subsidiary Intelligence Bureau not below the rank of deputy secretary to the Government of India, jurisdictional foreigners regional registration officer concerned, state informatics officer of national informatics centre of the state or UT, and the Post Master General of the state or UT concerned or a postal officer nominated by the Post Master General not below the rank of deputy secretary to the GoI. The home ministry notification also stated that there shall be a district level panel headed by the jurisdictional Senior Superintendent or Superintendent of Post who shall be the Designated Officer. The gazette notification states that the certificate of registration under sub-rule of rule 14 and Certificate of Naturalisation under sub-rule of rule 15 shall be digitally signed or signed by the Chairman of Empowered Committee.