Question : Citizenship Amendment Bill

(a) whether there have been protests in the North-Eastern States against the Citizenship Amendment Bill and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the main reasons for the protests and fears of the people in these States;

(c) whether the Government recently had a meeting with the North-Eastern States to discuss the problems and fears faced by them in implementation of this Bill;

(d) if so, the issues raised and discussed in the meeting; and

(e) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to address the problems being faced by these States after passing the said Bill?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.




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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *130 BY SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI AND SHRI V.ELUMALAI TO BE ANSWERED ON 12th FEBRUARY, 2019 ON CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT BILL.

(a) to (e): The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Lok Sabha in the Winter Session of the Parliament. There are reports of some protests due to certain misplaced apprehensions about the Bill.
Political leaders from North Eastern States including some Chief Ministers have met Home Minister of India on various issues related to North East including the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Various provisions of the bill have been clarified to them.
The Central Government has also apprised the representatives of North Eastern States of the steps that have been taken to preserve the cultural, social and linguistic identity and heritage of people of North East by constitution of a High Level Committee to examine effectiveness of actions taken since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Accord and the introduction of the Bill for amendment to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India for improving financial resources and administrative powers of Autonomous District Councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura to fulfill long standing aspirations of tribal people of these States.
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