NEW DELHI: In view of the land swap deal with Bangladesh, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday held a high-level meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the compensation package and rehabilitation measures of Indian nationals, who may want to return to the country once the pact was sealed.
The meeting was held at the North Block and it was attended by senior officials of the MHA and Union External Affairs Ministry, among others.
“All the stakeholders were present at the meeting, where issues like compensation, land for settlement and other procedural issues were discussed,” sources privy to the development said.
They said West Bengal has submitted a proposal seeking Rs 3,000 crore as compensation package to rehabilitate those willing to return. The state was represented by Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Additional Secretary.
“The proposal will be examined and a final decision will be taken soon,” sources said.
The NDA government is pushing for Constitution (Amendment) Bill for implementing the Indo-Bangla Land Boundary Agreement, but the compensation and rehabilitation remains a major issue as many Indians are expected to return, they said.
The Parliamentary standing Committee on External Affairs had in a recent report suggested that all the humanitarian issues, including assistance from the Central government, should be resolved in advance.
Since it would be the responsibility of state governments to deliver on the ground, the Centre is expected to coordinate with them to sort out issues related to compensation.
Bangladesh is in possession of 111 Indian enclaves (17,160.63 acre), while India is in possession of 51 Bangladesh enclaves (7,110.02 acre).
According to a joint head count conducted from July 14-17, 2011, the total population in the enclaves stood at 51, 549 (37,334 in Indian enclaves within Bangladesh and 14,215 in Bangladesh enclaves within India).