The implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) has raised questions about the extent of involvement state governments have in the process, with recent developments highlighting a centralized approach adopted by the central government.

Despite opposition from Chief Ministers in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, the CAA rules appear to diminish the influence of state governments in determining citizenship applications, leaning heavily towards centralized decision-making.

Exclusive Authority of Central Government
Under the constitutional framework, citizenship-related matters fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the central government, as specified in Entry no. 17 of the union list in the Seventh Schedule. This gives the central government sole authority over citizenship, naturalization, and aliens.

Central Government Dominance in Committees
The CAA Rules, 2024 establish committees at district and state/UT levels to oversee the verification and decision-making process regarding citizenship. These committees are predominantly comprised of central government officers, minimizing the representation of state/UT authorities.

Each committee, including the empowered committee (EC) and district-level committee (DLC), is chaired by central government officers, further consolidating central authority. The presence of only one invitee from the state government in these committees raises concerns about the limited influence state representatives may have.

Limited State Representation
In the EC, central government officers occupy key positions such as the subsidiary Intelligence Bureau officer, jurisdictional foreigners regional registration officer (FRRO), and state informatics officer of NIC. Similarly, the DLC includes central government officers, with only one representative from the state government.

Concerns and Reluctance from States
The dominance of central government officers in these committees has sparked concerns about the ability of states to effectively influence decisions regarding citizenship. States like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have voiced their reluctance to implement the CAA, citing concerns over its implications and the centralized approach to citizenship matters.

Reinforcement of Centralized Approach
The CAA rules, through their structure and composition of committees, reinforce a centralized approach to citizenship matters in India. By limiting the involvement of state governments, these rules signal a significant shift towards centralized decision-making in the realm of citizenship.

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