Sub :Determination of Refugee Status for the purpose of regularisationof refugee squatters.

The undersigned is directed to say that if has been brought to the notice of this Department that bonafide displaced persons who have either lost their refugee registration certificates or do not possess such a certificate are being denied rehabilitation benefits extended to the displaced persons by this Department. This Department has given careful thought to this fact and has decided that bonafide displaced person families who are otherwise eligible should not suffer for want of such a certificate and this Department: has accordingly decided, for the purpose of regularisation of a displaced person family or for the grant of a no objection certificate to accept the certificate of a duly elected Secretary/President of an approved Colony Committee stating therein the details of the person's/persions' address in the erstwhile East Pakistan. now Bangladesh prior to migration and the exact date/time of migration which must be prior to 25.3.71. A proforma of the certificate is annexed herewith for information.

2. If such material particulars are available in the certificate, no further verification or enquiry will be necessary. Otherwise, local R. R. Officer will have to make enquiry or verification.

3. The existing orders including the order bearing. No. 821-Rehab dated 15.2.73 conferring powers of issuing certificates on M. L. A. or M. P. or Municipal Councillor/ Commissioner stand modified to the extent that such certificates shall contain all material particulars in the proforma and in the absence of such material information the local R. R. Offices shall enquire and verify "refugee status" before regularisation.

4 However, the certificate issued under the banner of any Refugee Organisation should not be accepted.

Sd/-
D. K. Dasgupta
Deputy Secretary
Govt. of West Bengal