Govt reviews facilities for ‘minority migrants’

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 31

Keeping in view the government’s policy of giving “special treatment” to minority communities of neighbouring countries coming to India, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the “facilities” such as grant of long-term visa (LTV) and citizenship granted to such immigrants.

Singh reportedly directed officers to conduct special camps in coming months and ensure that in all pending cases, LTV and citizenship is granted before August 15. “Many more facilities to be given to these minority communities such as opening of bank accounts, purchase of dwelling units for self occupation and self employment, issuing of driving licence, PAN card, Aadhaar card and reduction of fee for registration as citizens of India are under active consideration of the government,” an official source said.

A source in the ministry said: “The Home Minister discussed various measures taken to streamline the process of granting facilities during the last two years.” He said the current government had taken many steps “to address problems being faced by minority communities in neighbouring countries”, who came to India due to “religious persecution in their country”.

So far, the MHA has extended a number of facilities to such immigrants, including facilities to apply for citizenship through both online and offline modes, permission to submit an affidavit in lieu of the Renunciation Certificate for citizenship and the grant of initial LTV for five years at a time, instead of one year.