Bengal to grant CAA citizenship to 2.5 lakh applicants by December 31
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a Rs 50 crore development package for the Matua community in Thakurnagar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that his government will speed up hearings to provide citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to 2.5 lakh applicants by 31 December. According to The New Indian Express, Adhikari made the assurance while visiting the Matua Thakurbari in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas district.
Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026, Adhikari stated that only 25,000 people in the state have received CAA citizenship so far. He credited the Matua community's support for the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal.
The Chief Minister announced a Rs 50 crore grant for the development of the Matua community. He also said that all genuine Scheduled Castes receiving citizenship under the CAA will be issued SC certificates.
Adhikari claimed that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed the CAA and did nothing for the Matua community. He said the previous administration had divided the community and their society.
The Matuas are a Scheduled Caste community linked to a social reform movement led by Harichand Thakur in the late 19th century. This movement originally mobilised the Namasudra community in undivided eastern Bengal.
Additional measures mentioned by Adhikari include the formation of a Matua development board and providing monthly allowances of Rs 3,000 to Matua women aged 25 to 60 under Annapurna Yojona, and Rs 1,500 to men above 60.