Centre has released Rs 144 crore for updating National Register of Citizens, says Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal today said that the Centre had till now released Rs 144 crore to Assam for updating the National Register of Citizens ( NRC) following a Supreme Court directive in 2006.

"The Supreme Court had asked the state government in 2006 to expedite the process of detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in Assam through the Foreigners' Tribunals. The Congress-led governments, both at the state and Centre, however, did nothing much," Sonowal told reporters here.

The Union Home Secretary would soon visit the state to review the work of NRC updating done so far.

On the issue of illegal influx, Sonowal said the Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju will soon visit the state and review the progress of sealing the Indo-Bangladesh border.

"We are very serious about solving the influx problem. The Union home ministry is seriously working on it. After the Parliament session is over, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit the state for on discussions on the issue of influx," he added.

Sonowal, who is also the state unit BJP President, had interacted with tribal and indigenous ethnic communities yesterday to know their expectations from the Narendra Modi government, to understand their problems and take up their issues with the Centre.