Gazette Order for creation of SLEC in West Bengal

**Executive Summary** This document from the Ministry of Home Affairs, dated February 20, 2026, specifies the formation of an Empowered Committee for the State of West Bengal, concerning matters of citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship Rules, 2009. The order is issued by the Central Government in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955 read with sub-rules (1) and (3) of rule 11A of the Citizenship Rules, 2009. The Committee is headed by the Deputy Registrar General, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Empowered Committee Formation for West Bengal:** * An Empowered Committee is constituted for the State of West Bengal. * It is headed by the Deputy Registrar General, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. * **Committee Member Composition:** * The committee includes the following members: * An officer in the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. * An officer not below the rank of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer concerned. * An officer not below the rank of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the State Informatics Officer of National Informatics Centre of the State of West Bengal. * Post Master General of the State of West Bengal or a Postal Officer to be nominated by the Post Master General not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. * **Invited Officers:** * The following officers will be invitees to the Empowered Committee: * A representative from the office of the Principal Secretary (Home) or Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the State Government of West Bengal. * A representative of jurisdictional Divisional Railway Manager of Railways. * **Other Terms and Conditions:** * Other terms and conditions shall be the same as provided in the order issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs vide order number S.O. 1231 (E), dated the 11th March, 2024 published in the Gazette of India, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), dated the 11th March, 2024. **Impact Analysis** **Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal** * **Impact:** The Deputy Registrar General will head the Empowered Committee. * **Action Required:** The Directorate will need to oversee the operation of the committee, ensuring that it meets the requirements of the citizenship rules and act. **Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau** * **Impact:** An officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India must participate in the Empowered Committee. * **Action Required:** The Bureau needs to designate an officer to serve on the committee. **Foreigners Regional Registration Officer** * **Impact:** An officer not below the rank of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer concerned, must participate in the Empowered Committee. * **Action Required:** The FRRO needs to designate an officer to serve on the committee. **National Informatics Centre, West Bengal** * **Impact:** An officer not below the rank of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the State Informatics Officer of National Informatics Centre of the State of West Bengal, must participate in the Empowered Committee. * **Action Required:** The NIC needs to designate an officer to serve on the committee. **Post Master General of the State of West Bengal** * **Impact:** The Post Master General of the State of West Bengal or a Postal Officer to be nominated by the Post Master General not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India. * **Action Required:** The Post Master General needs to designate an officer to serve on the committee. **Government of West Bengal** * **Impact:** The Government of West Bengal to provide a representative from the office of the Principal Secretary (Home) or Additional Chief Secretary (Home) as an invitee to the committee. * **Action Required:** Designate an officer to be an invitee. **Divisional Railway Manager of Railways** * **Impact:** The Divisional Railway Manager to provide a representative of jurisdictional Divisional Railway Manager of Railways as an invitee to the committee. * **Action Required:** Designate an officer to be an invitee.

Key Entities Referenced