On June 29, the Karnataka state government released orders to issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) and domicile certificates, a step taken two days after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) began. The PRC initiative is designed to provide a clear, transparent framework for establishing residents’ status and to prevent the inadvertent removal of voters from electoral rolls due to lack of documentation.

Central Concerns

Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah expressing alarm over the PRC scheme. She argued that the certificate could legitimize illegal or unlawful residents, enabling them to access state benefits, government documents, and employment opportunities. “The PRC creates a new category of ‘permanent residents’ without any constitutional or statutory authority,” she warned.

Eligibility Criteria and Potential Abuse

The order lists several criteria for PRC eligibility, including birth in Karnataka, ten continuous years of residence, ten years of study within the state, property ownership, and possession of government documents such as voter lists, Aadhaar, ration cards, and land records. Karandlaje cautioned that fraudulent documents could be fabricated, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

Political and Social Ramifications

While human‑rights groups have lauded the PRC as a pro‑migrant measure, they remain uncertain whether the Election Commission will recognize PRCs as valid for voter inclusion during SIR. A flawed implementation could erode public trust, compromise electoral transparency, and pose serious national‑security risks.

Next Steps

The Union is expected to direct Karnataka to halt the PRC rollout and ensure that the SIR exercise adheres to constitutional norms. Meanwhile, the state government faces pressure to reassess its decision in light of the central government’s concerns.