a notice to show cause as to why his/her allotment should not be revoked or cancelled. Unless any reply is received within a fortnight he/she should be declared deserter and thereafter the competent authority should serve for cancellation of allotment letter. If the whereabouts of the allottee is not known, the notice should be pasted somewhere on the plot in full view of the public.

C.  REGULARISATION OF REFUGEE COLONIES:

(I)  Prelude:

The government of West Bengal in the Refugee, Relief & Rehabilitation Department issued Government Order bearing Memo. No. 3959-Rehab, dt. 10^th Nov, 1986 (ANNEX-46) declaring decision to give free-hold and permanent title deeds to the occupants of the refugee colonies situated on the state Government’s own vested/khas or departmental lands. Subsequently another Govt. Order under Memo No. 347-Rehab dt. 29.1.87 (ANNEX-44) was issued by the Department conveying the Government decision to confer similar free-hold title deeds to the refugee families in occupation of other lands such as lands belonging to the Government of India. Departments or Govt. of India Agencies, and lands acquired by the State Govt. under statutory processes.

To implement the State Government’s decisions, guidelines for implementation of the scheme of conferment of right and title to refugee settlers in urban areas in West Bengal were issued under Memo. No. 1240(17)-Rehab/18R-9/87, dt. 20^th April, 1987. (ANNEX-40)

   It was assumed that L.A. proceedings were complete in case of Govt. Sponsored Schemes and pre-1951 squatters’ colonies (i.e. 149-group). L.A. proceedings are in progress in case of approved post 1950 squatters’ colonies (i.e. 175-group) and land acquisition/land transfer to be initiated for pre-1971 squatter colonies (i.e. 607-group). G.O. No. 2454(125)-Rehab/RR (Deed)-3/90; dt. 19^th July 1990 (ANNEX-11) spells out fait accompli of land acquisition in G.S. colonies.

(II)  Empowering of Collectors:

For regularisation of all types of approved squatters’ colonies by way of acquisition and inter-departmental transfer of land and subsequent conferment of right and title to the refugee families, the Refugee Rehabilitation Commissioner, West Bengal and the Collectors of the districts were authorised to take up the matter with upmost priority. A detailed outline was specified in Memo. No. 1188(16)-Rehab/7L-10/83; dt. 16^th April, 1987. (ANNEX-43)

(III)   Land Acquisition:

(a)   Guidelines in connection with acquisition of land for regularisation of post-50 squatters’ colonies, approved by Government of India, under the provisions of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 i.e. West Bengal Act II of 1948 were given under Memo No. 2253(45)-Rehab/6L-9/87; dt. 30^th June, 1987 (ANNEX-12).

(b)  The administrative approval towards initiation of acquisition proceedings under the provisions of West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 i.e. Act-II of 1948 was accorded by the    Government in R. R. & R. Department under Memo No. 1533(13)-Rehab 6L-9/87.  dt. 16^th may 1987. (ANNEX-13)