Sub : Land Acquisition in G.S. Colonies in West Bengal.

1. On scrutiny of papers it has been observed that requisite documents concerning land acquisition of most Govt. Sponsored Colonies set up in fifties, sixties & seventies are not properly maintained. nor readily traceable either in the Directorate or in the offices of Land Acquisition Collectors in the districts. But the refugees (displaced persons) have been and are residing in those G.S Colonies for a pretty long period without any interference from previous land owners. The refugees have (most of them) got allotment letters from R.R.C.(W.B.) and from District R.R. office and almost all of them have taken H.B.Loan & S.T. Loan from State Govt. by mortgaging the land under their occupations.

2. Therefore. it may be presumed that the land in such colonies has already been lawfully acquired by the State Govt. except in cases where the land was involved in any Suit or Writ in a Court of Law.

3. The State Govt. in the R. R. & R. Deptt. is of the view that the lands in G.S. Colonies set up in fifties, sixties and seventies have been lawfully acquired by the State Govt. The District Officers are advised to take up CONRIT operation and deliver free hold title deeds to the eligible refugees residing in Govt. Sponsored Colonies of the State in a time-bound programme.

4. In other words, land acquisition cases of G.S. Colonies set up by State Govt. in the R. R. & R. Deptt. in the distant past, need not be reopened, nor questioned for non-availability or untraceability of L.A. Record/Maps at this stage.

Sd/- B. B. Bhawal
Dy. Secretary
R. R. & R. Deptt.