No Indian will be left out due to technical issues: Census chief

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Those left out of the NRC can visit NRC offices in Assam from August 7... The authorities will ensure that no Indian is left out of the NRC due to or lack of information SAILESH, Census Commissioner

NEWDELHI: Those who have been left out of the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam can visit NRC offices in Assam from August 7 to learn the reason for their exclusion and subsequently file claims to prove their citizenship with technicalities not becoming a deterrent , said Sailesh, the country’s Registrar General and Census Commissioner.

Around 4 million people, more than 10 percent of the total population of Assam, have been left out of the final draft of the NRC.

“The authorities are aware of the concerns of those left out of the NRC. The authorities will ensure that no Indian is left out of the NRC on account of technicalities or due to lack of information ,” Sailesh (who goes by one name) added.

He added that at the moment the home ministry and the Assam government are busy deciding on the modalities of dealing with the claims and objections of those excluded. The Supreme Court will be informed about the modalities on the next date of hearing of the case, he said.

“Those who have been excluded can visit the NRC offices and after filing a simple form they will be provided with the reason. By the end of August, the NRC authorities will start taking claims and objections. These people will know what documents they need to submit (by then). There may be some cases, where, due to lack of information and empowerment, certain documentation is not available with a person. We will have to ensure that a genuine person gets the required documentation,” said Sailesh.

He added that the NRC authorities sifted through more than 65 million documents to prepare the final NRC draft. A majority of documents pertained to Assam only.

“Around six lakh documents belonged to other states; only three lakh could be verified. There were around 1.2 lakh documents that were referred to the West Bengal but we could get a response only on 15000. There were other state governments too which were lacking in response,” said Sailesh.