CHAPTER – VI

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS OF REFUGEE COLONIES

1.  In 1956, a Development Committee was appointed by the State Government and the Committee prescribed the standard of development for G. S. and Squatters’ Colonies in urban and G. S. Colonies of non-agriculturist in rural areas. The Government of India generally accepted the recommendation of the committee.

From 1957 some sort of development works began in accordance with the pattern laid down by the said committee. Under Phase-I, 102 G.S. Colonies and 9 Squatters’ Colonies were developed.

2.  Serious attention regarding development was given by the Working Group set up by the Government of India. The said report was published in 1976. The main recommendations are as follows:

(a)  The Working Group feels that the basic requirement of civic amenities should at this stage be made available to colonies of displaced persons, whether set up by the Government or through private efforts and that no distinction need now be made between squatters’ colonies set up by 1950 and those set up thereafter in this regard. Recommendations were also made to take up development works both in urban and rural colonies. (ANNEX-110)

(b)  Colonies within CMDA are:        Urban       Rs.       4,560/-       per plot

                                                        Rural        Rs.       3,600/-       per plot

Colonies outside CMDA area:          Urban      Rs.        2,700/-      per plot

                                                        Rural       Rs.        1,400/-       per plot

These rates were estimated in the price schedule of 1975-76. The total cost of development was estimated at Rs. 52.43 crores to cover 1, 70,269 refugee plots.

(c) After development, the responsibility of maintenance should be handed over to local authorities such as Corporation, Municipalities, and Panchayat etc. During the period 1978-1984, 208 colonies were developed under Phase-II development programme.

3.  In March, 1994, the Union Cabinet took a favourable decision regarding the provision of funds for the development of displaced persons’ colonies in West Bengal. Accordingly Phase-III programme for development of refugee colonies @ Rs. 17,777/- per urban plot was undertaken (ANNEX-111).