(a) whether the Government proposes to amend the Citizenship Act and Visa Rules for those applicants staying in India particularly Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has initiated any action to amend the Citizenship Act to relax the stipulation of one year continuous stay in India for certain categories of applicants; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (d): There is no such proposal to amend the Citizenship Act and visa rule for Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals living in India on Long Term Visa. However, the facilities provided to these foreigners are reviewed from time to time, as and when required. The Government of India has initiated the process to amend suitably clauses (a), (c), (f) and (g) of sub-section (1) of Section 5 and Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 to relax the prescribed period of one year of continuous stay of foreigners in India immediately before making an application for citizenship.