Question : REFUGEE PROBLEM

(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `No law to tackle refugee problem` appearing in the Hindustan Times, dated July 31, 2000;

(b) if so, whether the population of refugees is increasing in the country;

(c) if so, the total number of refugees alongwith their nationality at present in the country State-wise;

(d) whether in the absence of any law, the Government are finding it difficult to deal with this problem; and

(e) if so, the time by which a law in this regard is likely to be enacted and implemented?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (CH. VIDYASAGRA RAO)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The population of refugees fluctuates over a period of time for various reasons.

(c): A statement is annexed.

(d): There are no major difficulties in dealing with the refugees and the existing laws are considered, by and large, adequate; and

(e): Does not arise.

Annexure

Statement referred to in reply to Part (c) of Starred Question No. 406 due for answer on 22.08.2000

State and Country-wise details of foreigners seeking refugee in India as on 31.12.1999

Sl.No.	State/UT	Tibetans	Sri Lankans	Afghans	Others	Total

1.	Andaman Nicobar	-	-	-	50	50

2.	Andhra Pradesh	-	-	01	02	03

3.	Arunachal Pra.	7356	-	-	38218+	45574

4.	Bihar	18	-	01	02	21

5.	Chandigarh	-	-	-	03	03
6.	Delhi	57	-	52	275	384

7	Goa	-	-	01	-	01

8.	Haryana	39	-	1021	03	1063

9.	Himachal Pra.	17416	-	-	-	17416
10.	Jammu & Kashmir	6755	-	02	04	6761
11.	Karnataka	27113	242	01	07	27363
12.	Madhya Pradesh	1337	-	05	01	1343
13.	Maharashtra	1181	-	08	16	1205
14.	Meghalaya	390	-	-	-	390
15.	Orissa	3273	100	-	07	3380
16.	Pondicherry	-	30	-	-	30
17.	Punjab	-	-	49	-	49
18.	Rajasthan	-	-	-	736	736
19.	Sikkim	2524	-	-	-	2524
20.	Tamil Nadu	155	84500	-	-	84655
21.	Uttar Pradesh	6277	-	32	30	6339
22.	West Bengal	2339	-	02	75	2416
Total	201706
+	Mainly Chakma refugees