West Bengal CM promises CAA certificates to 2.5 lakh Matuas
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari aims to grant citizenship to 2.5 lakh Matua petitioners by December 31, 2026.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that the State government aims to grant citizenship certificates to 2.5 lakh Matuas under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, by December 2026.
Speaking at the Matua religious headquarters in Thakurnagar, Adhikari stated that only 25,000 people have received citizenship under the CAA in West Bengal so far.
The Chief Minister said the government would work to include the names of those receiving CAA certificates in the voter list during the January enlistment process.
Adhikari promised to reconstitute the Matua Development Board and said Rs 50 crore would be spent on community development through the board in the current financial year.
The Chief Minister also said the Chief Secretary had been instructed to ensure no problems arise in obtaining SC certificates for Scheduled Caste communities who have CAA certificates.
Adhikari blamed his predecessor for opposing the CAA and stated that the previous Chief Minister had divided the Matua society and did nothing for them.