Will not implement NPR for now: Nath

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Monday said that the National Population Register (NPR) would not be implemented in the state “as of now”.

The CM’S statement on NPR came after the Congress MLA from Bhopal Central Arif Masood, earlier in the day, took exception to a notification issued by the state government in December 9, 2019, regarding updation of NPR.

“The notification of National Population Register (NPR) being talked about is of December 9, 2019. The central government enacted National Amendment Act after this notification. Hence, the NPR notified (by the state government) has not been notified under CAA, 2019. It was done under rule 3 of CAA, 1955’s rules2003,” read the statement issued on Monday quoting the CM.

“But, anyway, chief minister has made it clear that NPR will not be implemented in Madhya Pradesh as of now”, said the statement. Masood urged the CM to reject the NPR and issued a warning that if it was not done he would reconsider whether or not he should “remain in the government”.

The MLA said, “A campaign would be launched from Bhopal on no CAA, no NRC and no NPR.”

State BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat said, “The state government’s notification has made it amply clear that it’s in favour of the NPR but due to protest from an MLA the CM has decided to do the politics of appeasement. However, he must understand that any law which is implemented at the national level will have to be implemented in Madhya Pradesh too...”.