Aadhaar to those who get entry in final NRC; those who can't prove citizenship, can't get it
New Delhi, Aug 30: Aadhaar cards will be issued to all those who were excluded in the draft NRC but could get entry in the final list to be published on Saturday, officials said.
This will happen as NRC authorities have taken biometric data from more than 36 lakh people who have claimed Indian citizenship after their exclusion from the draft NRC published on July 30, 2018.
However, those who may be excluded from the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) and can not prove their Indian citizenship after pursuing legal process will not be eligible for obtaining Aadhaar cards anywhere in the country as their biometrics will be flagged.
"The biometric data taken during the process of claims of the NRC will ensure that those who are in the final NRC will get Aadhaar and those who could not prove their Indian citizenship will not get it anywhere in the country," a senior home ministry official said.
When the draft NRC was published, there was a huge controversy over the exclusion of 40.7 lakh people from it. The draft included names of 2.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants. In addition to those excluded, the names of over a lakh people were also left out in a list published last month.
All those whose names were excluded from the draft NRC were given opportunity to apply before the authorities with designated documents to claim their Indian citizenship. During this process, the biometric data were taken from the applicants.
Assam has a very low penetration of Aadhaar scheme and less than 15 per cent state people have obtained Aadhaar cards so far, another official said.
The final NRC will be published on Saturday. Those who may not be part of the final NRC can approach any of the 300 foreigners tribunals to challenge the exclusion.
If an individual's claim is rejected by a tribunal, he or she can approach the high court and subsequently the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court-monitored NRC exercise, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants, mostly from Bangladesh, was carried out only in Assam, which has been facing influx of people from the neighbouring country since the early 20th century.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
