SC orders transfer of Assam NRC coordinator to Madhya Pradesh

The Assam NRC coordinator, Prateek Hajela has been transferred to Madhya Pradesh on deputation. Hajela, the 1995 batch IAS officer of Assam- Meghalaya cadre, had overseen the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the inter-cadre transfer of NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela to Madhya Pradesh on deputation. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed the government to notify his transfer within seven days.

Hajela, the 1995 batch IAS officer of Assam- Meghalaya cadre, had overseen the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. The reason for his transfer has not been provided yet.

The final NRC was released on August 31 with 19,06,657 of the total 3,30,27,661 applicants excluded and 3,11,22,004 included.

On the other hand, the Assam government has decided to increase the number of Foreigners Tribunals under the provisions of the Foreigners Act to 1,000 in a phased manner to expedite the cases relating to suspected foreign nationals.

The Home Ministry of Assam has already appointed officials for the extra Foreigners Tribunals.

Meanwhile, as per the Supreme Court's direction, the people whose names were excluded from the NRC list will have 120 days extra to claim it in Foreigners Tribunal.

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