West Bengal to fast-track CAA citizenship for 2.5 lakh applicants by December 31
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced Rs 50 crore for Matua community development during a convention in Thakurnagar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that the state government will expedite hearings to provide Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) citizenship to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31.
Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, Adhikari stated that 25,000 people in West Bengal have received citizenship under the CAA so far.
The Chief Minister announced that Rs 50 crore will be granted 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 credited the Matua community for the formation of the BJP government in the state. He claimed the previous Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, opposed the CAA and did nothing for the community.
The Matuas are a Scheduled Caste community. The group is linked to a social reform movement led by Harichand Thakur in the late 19th century, which primarily mobilised the Namasudra community in undivided eastern Bengal.