Question : Indian Citizenship to Immigrants

(a) the number of Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan and Afghanistan who are living as refugees in the country, State-wise;

(b) the details of requests received from such persons for grant of Indian Citizenship and the present status of such applications along with the steps being taken for grant of citizenship to them;

(c) the facilities provided by the Government to the said families;

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to set up single point reference where these refugees can raise their problems as well as facilitate them in finding jobs/starting work in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether it is a fact that Hindus and Sikhs living in Pakistan are being forced to spy against India and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereof and there is no national law dealing with matters connected with refugees.
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L.S.US.Q.NO.3354 FOR 06.12.2016

(b): Grant of Indian Citizenship, under sections 5 and 6(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the rules made there under, to such persons is a continuous process. Applications, when received are processed in accordance with the provisions contained in the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the rules made there under.

(c): Such persons living in India on Long Term Visa are allowed to take up employment of purely private nature, conduct business which is considered safe from security angle, allowed free movement within the State/Union Territory except Protected/Restricted/ Cantonment Area, permitted to visit places outside their state after giving information to designated authority, pay reduced penalty on non-extension of visa, permitted to apply for long term visa at the present place of residence and can also transfer their Long Term Visa papers from one State/Union Territory to another. Children of such foreign nationals can take admission in Schools, Colleges, Universities, Technical/ Professional Institutions without prior permission.

(d): No, madam.
(e): No specific report has been received by the Government.


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