New Delhi, August 21: In a major relief to residents of Assam, the government decided to double the time-limit for filing appeals against exclusion from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to be published on August 31. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on the NRC on Monday where it was decided that the time-limit for filing appeals in foreigners tribunals to 120 days from the existing 60 days.

"As it may not be possible for all those excluded from the final NRC to file the appeal within the prescribed time, MHA will amend the rules to increase the present time limit of filing of appeals in FTs from 60 days to 120 days regarding exclusion from final NRC. The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 are also being amended accordingly," the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a press release on Tuesday. Publication of Final NRC Will Be Peaceful With Amit Shah, People's Support: Assam CM.

The government also said the Assam government will provide full opportunity and assistance to persons whose names have been wrongly excluded from final NRC to appeal against their non-inclusion and they can move Foreigner Tribunals (FT). "It was decided that adequate arrangements will be made by the state government to provide full opportunity to the persons whose names have been excluded from the final NRC to appeal against their non-inclusion," the release said. Assam NRC Row: Police Initiates Action Against Miscreants Spreading Misinformation Through Social Media.

The Assam government, according to the release, has agreed to set up the adequate number of such tribunals at convenient locations and would also make arrangements to provide legal aid to the needy people amongst those excluded from the NRC. The meeting was also attended by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Assam’s Chief Secretary Alok Kumar and senior officers.

The Supreme Court had last month extended the timeline for the final publication of NRC from July 31 to August 31. The apex court, however, had rejected a plea to extend the NRC deadline for sample verification.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2019 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).