From Our Own Correspondent
Delhi, Oct 6
Mr R. K. Khadilkar, India's Minister for Refugees and Rehabilitation, said today that the influx of refugees into West Bengal could be expected to increase in the coming months because of the activity of the Bengali guerrillas and the sabotage of communication routes.

Mr Khadilkar, who was speaking in Delhi today, said that in any event, if the influx continued at the present rate, the refugee population in India would pass the 12 million mark within the next few months.

Dealing with the huge financial burden which has been imposed on the Indian economy he said he felt that assistance from the international community had so far proved to be “rather insignificant”.

Foreign agencies and governments had so far pledged $150m (£62m) to help the refugees but only $24m had been received by September 2.

“The international community should realize their responsibility and should come forward with more generous aid in the cause of suffering humanity”, Mr Khadilkar said.

Mr C. Subramaniam, the Minister for Planning, also hinted today that the cost of accommodating the refugees would affect India’s four-year development plan. It was difficult to say whether the targets would he achieved in all sectors of the economy, he said.
From Our Own Correspondent
Delhi, Oct 6
Mr R. K. Khadilkar, India's Minister for Refugees and Rehabilitation, said today that the influx of refugees into West Bengal could be expected to increase in the coming months because of the activity of the Bengali guerrillas and the sabotage of communication routes.

Mr Khadilkar, who was speaking in Delhi today, said that in any event, if the influx continued at the present rate, the refugee population in India would pass the 12 million mark within the next few months.

Dealing with the huge financial burden which has been imposed on the Indian economy he said he felt that assistance from the international community had so far proved to be “rather insignificant”.

Foreign agencies and governments had so far pledged $150m (£62m) to help the refugees but only $24m had been received by September 2.

“The international community should realize their responsibility and should come forward with more generous aid in the cause of suffering humanity”, Mr Khadilkar said.

Mr C. Subramaniam, the Minister for Planning, also hinted today that the cost of accommodating the refugees would affect India’s four-year development plan. It was difficult to say whether the targets would he achieved in all sectors of the economy, he said.