New Delhi, December 24: The Union Cabinet has reportedly approved a proposal seeking updation of the National Population Register (NPR) in the country, reports said on Tuesday. As part of NPR updation, a census will be conducted from house to house across the country likely from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved over Rs 8500 crore for updating National Population Register. NRC Likely to Follow CAA, All You Need to Know About Proposed Pan-India National Register of Citizenship.

The development comes amid the ongoing protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The motive behind the updation of NPR is to create a comprehensive database of the identity of common residents of the country. Any resident residing in any area in the country for six months or more is required to register with the NPR. Why Citizenship Amendment Act+NRC Raise Fear And Concerns: A Multi-Dimensional Take.

Apparently, the NPR is linked to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise which was carried out in Assam to identify infiltrators. After the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the NRC is reportedly on the agenda of the Modi government and prior to it, it has approved updation of the NPR. The NPR, a register of usual residents, will be prepared under the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

Notably, the ongoing work for preparing and updating the National Population Register has been stayed in West Bengal, Kerala and Rajasthan. The NPR is also a part of the 2021 census. According to Census 2011, India comprises 2.4 per cent of land area and resources and houses 17.5 per cent of the global population.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 02:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).