GUWAHATI, Dec 7 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today claimed that the State Government is totally committed to updating the 1951 National Register of Citizens (NRC) and has engaged 39,935 State Government employees, including contractual workers, for the completion of the process within the stipulated deadline.
In a statement here, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has been leaving no stone unturned to complete the entire process within the stipulated time frame and has engaged a strong work force of its own. �The process of the NRC update carried out by the State Government under the direct supervision of the Central Government has been going on full steam and the final publication of the updated NRC will be made within March, 2016,� Gogoi said.
He further said the State Government is committed towards protecting the interests of the State and its people and has initiated a slew of measures aimed at ensuring a correct NRC free from the names of foreigners and one that includes only the names of genuine Indian citizens. �The NRC process was initiated by the State Government to protect the State�s interests way back in June 2010 with a pilot project in Barpeta. No one demanded it, nor did anyone raise the issue. I took up the initiative so that the vexed foreigners� issue is resolved once and for all. However, I would like to thank former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, AASU and other organisations for lending support to the whole exercise,� he added.
The Chief Minister said in the ongoing exercise, the Central Government has not engaged any employee. �The Central Government has not engaged any employee in the NRC update process though it has a huge work force in the Railways, banks, post offices and other undertakings,� Gogoi said, adding that the Central Government has not
deputed any representative to take stock of the progress so far.
�There should not be any lacuna or loophole in the NRC update exercise. It has to be foolproof. I appeal to every organisation and individual to bring to our notice any lacuna or loophole so that the NRC update exercise is smooth and hassle-free,� he added.
The Chief Minister thanked the people for extending support to the NRC update process and sought their cooperation in the completion of the massive exercise within the stipulated time frame.
