Kolkata, Oct. 13 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that CAA certificates would now be issued directly through district magistrates' offices to simplify and expedite the process for applicants.
Speaking during a Durga Puja inauguration in Bongaon, he said the application and hearing process had been decentralised, allowing district authorities to handle cases locally instead of applicants waiting for clearances from New Delhi.
Addressing concerns among the Matua community and other refugee groups, Adhikari assured eligible applicants that the process was being streamlined to ensure they were not excluded. Of around 2.3 lakh CAA applications received in Bengal, approximately 23,000 certificates have been issued so far, with the remaining cases being expedited through district authorities.
Earlier, addressing the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Charer Pally Durga Puja committee in Nadia's Ranaghat, Adhikari said the state government had approved 12,400 additional Durga Pujas, taking the total number of approved celebrations to 57,400 this year, compared with 45,000 in 2025.
He also announced plans for a religious pilgrimage circuit connecting Madan Mohan Jiu temple in Cooch Behar with Mayapur, Nabadwip, Tarapith, Tarakeswar, Kalighat and Dakshineswar. The initiative, he said, would promote religious tourism, strengthen Bengal's cultural identity and generate employment.
"Development will continue, and employment opportunities will be created. We will also work towards the spiritual awakening," Adhikari said. Adhikari appealed to the district administration and police to ensure peaceful and incident-free festivities in Nadia.
He also expressed confidence that his government would overcome what he termed anti-national forces. CM inaugurated the Charer Pally Puja, followed by events at Kalyani A-9 Chattar and Gandhipalli Vivekananda Sporting Club in Bongaon.
He later flew to Delhi to attend a BRICS dinner hosted by the Union Home Ministry and was scheduled to return to Kolkata late Tuesday night.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.