(a) whether Minorities commission has complained about the plight of Indian refugees arriving from Afghanistan;
(b) if so, the number of refugees arrived so far; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for the rehabilitation of these refugees?
(a) whether Minorities commission has complained about the plight of Indian refugees arriving from Afghanistan;
(b) if so, the number of refugees arrived so far; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for the rehabilitation of these refugees?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b)to(c): No Indian refugees have arrived from Afghanistan. However, due to prolonged war and ethnic conflict in Afghanistan from 1980 onwards, a large number of Afghan nationals migrated to India. As per records, there are 12083 such registered Afghan nationals residing in India. To facilitate their stay in India, as per present policy, Afghan nationals who came to India with valid travel documents/passports are being granted six monthly extensions for their stay in the country. The present extension is valid upto 30th June 2001.