West Bengal to grant citizenship to 2.5 lakh under CAA by year-end

State officials have committed to expediting the citizenship grant process under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in West Bengal, targeting the completion of 2.5 lakh applications within the current calendar year. The announcement underscores efforts to clear the substantial backlog of pending cases in the state, which has emerged as a significant implementation arena for the contentious legislation.

Beyond the citizenship processing timeline, authorities have pledged a comprehensive support package for affected communities. The state government plans to allocate 50 crore rupees toward developmental initiatives for the Matua community, a significant beneficiary group under the CAA provisions. The allocation reflects official recognition of the community's historical displacement and current socioeconomic needs.

In a significant administrative decision, eligible applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes who secure citizenship under the CAA framework will be granted SC certificates, ensuring their access to reservation benefits and constitutional protections. This provision addresses concerns that CAA beneficiaries might otherwise face barriers to social welfare programs and affirmative action schemes available to marginalized communities.

The accelerated implementation marks a pivotal moment in the CAA's rollout across India, with West Bengal serving as a test case for large-scale citizenship processing. Officials have indicated that the December 31 deadline represents an ambitious but achievable target, contingent on resource allocation and administrative capacity at district and sub-district levels.