Rajasthan to Expedite Citizenship for Minority Refugees with Special Camps

The Rajasthan government will hold special camps to expedite the process of granting Indian citizenship to minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Health Minister Gajendra Singh announced various initiatives including simplified procedures and district-level camps. Over 2,329 people have already received citizenship, with additional applications pending.

The Rajasthan government has announced special camps to expedite the process of granting Indian citizenship to minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Health Minister Gajendra Singh made the announcement on Thursday during Question Hour in the Rajasthan Assembly, standing in for the home minister.

Singh emphasized that the state government is making special efforts to provide citizenship as swiftly as possible. District collectors have been tasked with the authority to grant citizenship certificates, and rules and procedures have been simplified to facilitate this process. District-level camps will be organized monthly for this purpose, Singh added.

Over 2,329 people have received citizenship in Rajasthan between 2016 and 2024, and 1,566 applications are currently pending. Out of these, the Intelligence Bureau is yet to submit reports for 300 cases. Additionally, Singh informed that 373 applications for Pakistani refugees were received in Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Balotra districts in the last five years, out of which 84 were processed and 289 are pending.

(With inputs from agencies.)