Delhi: Modi government to provide EWS flats, security to Rohingyas
The Centre has decided to relocate over 1,000 Rohingya refugees to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats in Delhi's Bakkarwala area. The announcement was made by the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday. He also said the refugees would be provided with the unique IDs of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- India has been criticized for failing to clarify its policy on Rohingya refugees.
- Since India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, hundreds of Rohingyas were deported from the nation last year.
- Being more honest in dealing with these refugees may be viewed as a significant step, enhancing India's position in the world. It will come at a great domestic cost, though.
According to reports, nearly 1,100 Rohingyas living in tents would be transferred shortly to apartments with all basic facilities and 24-hour security. The decision was made during a high-level meeting presided over by the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Naresh Kumar. Senior officials from the Delhi administration, the Delhi Police, and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were also present.
The national capital's Social Welfare Department has been directed to ensure basic facilities for Rohingya refugees, ANI reported. The buildings would be handed over to Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRRO), which will facilitate the relocation of Rohingyas into these flats, it said. Notably, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) provided these flats to the Delhi government to isolate suspected COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has been instructed to provide security to the premises allotted to the refugees. Along with this, Delhi's Social Welfare Department has been ordered to ensure basic facilities at the flats. To recall, the government stated last month that around Rs. 7 lakh was spent on the rent for Rohingya refugees' tents in Delhi's Madanpur Khadar.
India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all #Rohingya #Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs round-the-clock @DelhiPolice protection. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/E5ShkHOxqE
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 17, 2022
Puri also tweeted that some people played a negative role in the crisis by spreading "canards" on India's refugee policy. "Those who made a career out of spreading canards on India's refugee policy deliberately linking it to #CAA will be disappointed. India respects & follows @UN Refugee Convention 1951 & provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed," he wrote.
