Question : TASK FORCE ON CITIZENSHIP AND LONG TERM VISA

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up a Task Force to monitor and expedite the processing of Citi- zenship and long term Visa applications;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the terms of reference of the Task Force;

(c) the number of applications of Citizenship and long term Visa pending as on 31st October, 2014;

(d) whether any time schedule has been fixed for disposal of the above applications; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which all such applications are likely to be examined by the Task Force?

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

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 228 FOR 09.12.2014

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Government has set up a Task Force in September, 2014 headed by Joint Secretary ( Foreigners) with a view to monitor and expedite the pending applications of LTV/Citizenship . The Task Force would inter-alia under- take the following activity:-

(i) Cases having complete documents and under process in MHA will be expedited so that all processing is completed within two months.

(ii) For cases where reports from security agencies are awaited, a consolidated pending list will be sent to security agencies and the progress will be monitored regularly.

(iii) Cases pending due to deficiency in documents will be analyzed to enable decision to facilitate processing of such cases.

(iv) Where representations are received about specific pending cases with the State Governments, MHA will follow up with the State Governments concerned. MHA officials may also be sent to coordinate with state Home Department and FRO officials.

(v) Since the applications are now filed online, the Task Force would monitor the applications filed and keep track of progress in each State/District.

(vi) For many applicants, the grant of Long Terms Visa (LTV) would have to be processed/considered first. The Task Force will coordinate LTV related matters also.

(c): As on 31st October, 2014, 1048 applications for grant of Long Term Visa are under consideration at different stages. From the year 2011, online system of filing application for Citizenship has been introduced. As per data available on line, 2008 applications are pending at different stages of processing for grant of Indian Citizenship.

(d) & (e): As the Task Force has been assigned to monitor and expedite the processing of pending LTV/Citizenship applications, all such cases/ applications having complete documents will be processed within two months subject to clearance by the security agencies.