NRC an issue of 'national interest', there should be no politics: Rajnath Singh

Lucknow, Aug 4: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said there should be no politics over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam as it was an issue of national interest.

Singh also reiterated that this was not the final NRC, but a draft and adequate time would be given to settle all claims and objections.

The NRC, a list of Assam citizens, was published on July 30 with the names of over 40 lakh residents of the state not being included in it.

"I think there should be no politics on the issue of NRC, as the issue of NRC is an issue of national interest. People of Assam were demanding it for a long time, and their demands have been fulfilled.

"Some people are trying to create fears, but I feel that there is no need for anyone to feel afraid. This is only the draft NRC for Assam. People will get time to settle claims and objections," he said.

The process of claims and objections to the NRC will start on August 30 and continue for a month, and if required NRC authorities may extend the period by another month -- till October 30, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"If they are still not satisfied, people can appeal to the foreigners' tribunal," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by Gramin Bank of Aryavrat here.

On banks operating in rural areas, the minister said they are the backbone of the country's banking system and help in increasing the quantum of faith among the poor in financial institutions.

"India is no longer a weak country, and is being counted as a strong nation. The world now views India with respect," he said.

Singh exuded confidence that if the current rate of development remains like this till 2030, India will be counted among the top three countries of the world.

"If India has to become the largest economy of the world, then contribution has to be taken from the person in the last strata of society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already promised to double the income of the farmers by 2022.

"In 2018, the availability of urea has gone up. The endeavour of the government is to make adequate electricity supply available in villages," he said.

Singh, an MP from Lucknow, said, "Financial inclusion has been the biggest success for the government, as the government has linked the common citizen with the banking system."

Today, more than 31.5 crore people in the country have bank accounts. In the last one year, of the total number of bank accounts opened in the world, nearly 55 per cent were opened in India, he said.

On the occasion, the minister also said, "The NDA government, while keeping in mind social security, came up with the Atal Pension Yojana and Fasal Bima Yojana."

"Once, there is a 'bharosaa' (confidence) inside a person regarding the future, his working capacity will increase. Today, the world accepts India as the fastest growing economy in globally. Everyone should contribute in every developmental activity," Singh said.

The Gramin Bank of Aryavart, a regional rural bank, was constituted on April 1, 2013, after amalgamation of two RRBs -- the Aryavart Kshetriya Gramin Bank and the Shreyas Gramin Bank.

The Aryavart Kshetriya Gramin Bank was sponsored by the Bank of India and the Shreyas Gramin Bank by Canara Bank.

The amalgamated entity Gramin Bank of Aryavart functions under Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976, having its head office at Lucknow under the sponsorship of the Bank of India.

PTI