CHAPTER – I

INTRODUCTION

The influx of refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan is a major crisis in Indian history. The trickle started in 1946, gathered momentum and became a deluge after the partition of the country. In 1964 there was again a large influx followed by a massive exodus in 1971. An estimated 58 lakhs refugees came to India by 1971, excluding those of the 1971 exodus who stayed on. The census figures of 1971 show the population of displaced persons in the state at nearly 60 lakhs as reported to the Planning commission in 1974 by the Government of West Bengal. According to the RR Committee Report, the number was assessed at 80 lakhs in 1981. The migrants till 25^th march 1971 may broadly be divided into two groups vide the report of the Working Group formed by Government of India in 1976.

     (a)  Those who migrated between October 1946 and 31 March 1958 are known as “Old Migrants”. Their rehabilitation was governed by the W.B. Act XVI of 1951 (since lapsed) vide Annex 1.

     (b)  Those who came between 1 January 1964 and 25 March 1971 are known as “New Migrants”.

Measures taken by the Government in the Past

                       (1)  RELIEF MEASURES:

From the very beginning of the exodus in 1947 the primary task that Government faced was providing relief to a vast number of refugees. Relief Transit Camps were opened by the State Government to provide food, clothings, shelter and medical aid to the migrants till they could rehabilitate themselves with Government aid. Out of 31.32 lakhs of old migrants, 7.92 lakhs were admitted to Camps/Homes.

  (2) REHABILITATION MEASURES:

Various schemes were sanctioned involving acquisition of thousands of acres of agricultural and homestead land and for advancing loans for land purchases, Byanama Scheme, agriculture, housing, small trade and business, as also for providing educational, medical, training and employment facilities.

REFUGEE FAMILIES IN RURAL AREAS:

Government assistance in various forms was given to about 3.84 lakhs agriculturist and non-agriculturists families in rural areas. There were 4 schemes for rehabilitation of agriculturists in rural areas namely (i) Type Scheme (ii) Union Board Scheme (iii) Barujibi Scheme (iv) Horticulture Scheme. These have been discussed in detail in the Report of the Working Group by Govt. of India, 1976.

REFUGEE FAMILIES IN URBAN AREAS:

About 1.39 lakh families in urban areas received Government assistance in the form of various types of loans such as for land purchase, house building, small trade,