The Home Ministry has sought an additional three months’ time for framing rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), news agency PTI reported on Sunday.

The petition has been filed before the Department Related Standing Committee for Subordinate Legislation. The Manual on Parliamentary Work states that the rules for any legislation should be framed within six months of the presidential assent or an extension must be sought. “The home ministry has sought an additional three months time to frame the rules for the CAA. The plea was made before the Department Related Standing Committee for Subordinate Legislation,” a senior official told PTI.

The controversial CAA, which facilitates granting of Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Act was passed in the Parliament on December 11, 2019. According to the Act, Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have lived in India for six years will be granted citizenship. Earlier, 12 years of residence was the standard eligibility requirement for naturalisation.

The President had given his assent to the legislation on December 12, 2019.

The home ministry’s plea for extension came after the panel enquired about the status of the rules for the CAA. The committee is likely to accept the request, the report said.

After the CAA was passed by Parliament, widespread protests were witnessed in the country. Those opposing the CAA contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with the National Register of Citizens is intended to target the Muslim community in India.

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had dismissed the allegations and described the protests against the CAA as “mostly political”. He had asserted that no Indian will lose citizenship due to the Act.

Clashes between pro and anti-CAA groups had spiralled into communal riots in Northeast Delhi early this year which had left at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.