APPENDIX E- REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN REGARD TO THE REHABILITATION OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DISPLACED FROM PAKISTAN
In pursuance of the recommendation of the Central Advisory Board of Education at its meeting held on 13th January, 1948 at New Delhi the following steps were taken by the Government of India with regard to the rehabilitation of displaced teachers and students:-
I. Teachers. A small Bureau was added to the Ministry in August 1948 to find employment for about 11,000 displaced teachers, including about 5,800 registered with Employment Exchanges all over India and 250 persons with the Transfer Bureau of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, and a number of Local Body and Government teachers displaced from West Punjab who applied direct.
148
Our Plan. A special officer of the Ministry was deputed to go to important Provinces, and after personal talks with heads of the Departments of Education, a comprehensive plan was chalked cut. Schools manned exclusively by refugee, teachers were started in refugee camps. The State Governments were requested (a) to reserve for displaced teachers all vacancies caused by the migration of Muslim teachers, (b) to reserve-for them at least 25 per cent of the vacancies created in State Governments for implementing their educational schemes, (c) to relax conditions of domicile and age in order to make displaced teachers eligible for applying for Government posts, (d) to offer them approximately similar conditions of service and (e) to give them higher starts in the salary scales of the posts to which they were appointed, considering the salaries last drawn by them in Pakistan and their length of service.
Employment in Centrally Administered Areas. Special measures were adopted in Centrally Administered Areas. The Director of Education, Delhi persuaded the managers of all aided institutions to delegate to him for a short period the powers of appoinment of teachers in their schools. The educational system was expanded by the addition of two double-shifts in colleges, a Punjab University Camp College, 12 Government High Schools, 10 Government Middle Schools and 15 Primary Government Schools, besides 61, Primary Schools opened by the Delhi Municipal Committee. The displaced teachers were given training in Basic Education and employed in new Basic Schools started by the Government in rural areas.
In Ajmer, 3 High Schools and 35 Primary schools for Sindhis were started by Government, and another three started by Sindhis were given grants-in-aid.
Employment in States. Lists of refugee teachers were supplied to the major States by the Ministry of Education. According to information received, about 8,668 teachers have found employment in different States in India. A province-wise statement of employment is appended (Annexure A).
Rehabilitation of Teachers released from Camps. The closing down of camps and schools started in 1949 released a number of displaced teachers. A special Officer was again deputed to visit some of the major townships and camps and explore other avenues of employment for teachers. It was possible to find employment for them in Faridabad and Rajpura Camps and in the districts of Gurgaon, Ambala, Rohtak and Karnal in the Punjab. The end of this problem was in sight when disturbances in East Pakistan created a fresh problem more formidable in view of the fact that the absorbing capacity of the States had already been heavily taxed.
Teachers' Provident Funds. Besides this work of resettlement, the transfer from Pakistan to India of Teachers' Provident Funds was even more important than providing employment, especially for teachers of an advanced a age to whom employment could at best offer only short time relief. This matter was pursued and in March 1948 the Ministry of Communications agreed to give interim relief in the form oF an advance of Rs. 500/- or Rs. 1,000 on the execution of an idemnity bond. In effect, however, this relief proved to be of limited benefit because only a very small number of teachers had brought their passbooks. An Indo- Pakistan agreement was then arrived at, according to which both Governments agreed to verify the P.F. accounts of teachers deposited in post office saving banks.
149
Upto the date of the devaluation of Indian currency about Rs. 6,00,000 had been transferred and paid on this account, but after devaluation verification of P.O.S.B. accounts was completely suspended by Pakistan. The cases of about 50 per cent, of the teachers have still not been dealt with, and it is under consideration what relief it is possible to give them.
Raising of Age-limit of Retirement for displaced teachers. The non-transfer of Provident Funds and non-settlement of pensions made it necessary to request State Governments to extend-the date of compulsory retirement for displaced teachers from 55 to 60 years in hard cases in order to enable them to earn a living till Government could settle the question of their pensions and Provident Funds. The response from State Governments has not been very encouraging.
Provident Fund in new employment. Further, State Governments have been requested to consider whether, on compassionate grounds, displaced teachers employed with benefits of a Provident Fund can on retirement be given the full amount including the employee's contribution. irrespective of the length of his service. Some States have readily agreed while others are still considering the matter.
Certificates lost in Pakistan. A large majority of teachers had left their certificates in Pakistan. As an emergency measure, it was suggested to State Governments, with the Concurrence of the Ministry of Home Affairs, that an affidavit signed before a Magistrate Class I with regard to age and qualifications may be accepted for purpose,, of employment. Efforts to secure from Pakistan duplicate certificates in lieu of originals lost in Pakistan did not bear fruit. The Education Departments of State Governments were therefore requested to issue duplicate certificates to teachers on production of reliable collateral evidence.
Training Schools for Displaced Untrained Teachers. A night training school was started in Delhi to give training after school hours to such untrained displaced teachers as were offered employment on compassionate grounds but could not under the normal rules be retained in service. 200 persons are at present receiving training, and it is proposed to continue this school for some time longer.
Bengal problem. The problem of the rehabilitation of teachers displaced from East Pakistan has still to be solved. The Ministry of Education has been in correspondence with the Governments of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa, the States which on account of their location are expected to shoulder the main responsi bility. The matter is also being pursued with the Ministry of Rehabilitation in order to devise effective means for rehabilitating these displaced teachers as quickly and as satisfactorily as possible.
II. Students. Out of about 55.00.000 persons, who migrated from West Pakistan. 11 lakhs were estimated to be boys and girls of school-going age between 5 and 15 years. About half of these boys and girls are in the Punjab and about 1,40,000 are in Delhi.
150
As an emergency measure, it was suggested to State Governments to (a) dispense with the production of examination and migration certificates and to admit displaced students on the basis of a simple test, (b) to waive the capitation fees, (c) to Open more schools and colleges as double shifts or in tents, (d) to start separate schools for Sindhis with Sindhi as the Medium of instruction where their number justified it and (e) to waive the age limit for admission to certain technical institutions. The State Governments generally agreed to these suggestions.
The Ministry of Rehabilitation introduced a scheme of educational grants and loans to deserving displaced students of various categories. So far approximately Rs. 85 lacs has been spent on this account.
Students whose studies were interrupted and who could not join any institution in East Punjab due to the closing down of all educational institutions for a whole year during 1947-48 under orders of Government in order to provide living accommodation to the refugees, were awarded special certificates under the East Punjab University emergency scheme of social service. These certificates were recognised by the Government of India for purposes of employment.
In Centrally Administered Areas fee concessions were granted to 70 per. cent of the total number of refugee students by Government in special schools started by them.
Universities were requested to relax their rules so as to permit as private candidates at examination those students who could not join an institution either on account of difficulties in securing admission in colleges and schools or on account of financial difficulties. The Universities of the Punjab, Utkal Madras & Mysore have agreed to this.
Scholarships lost on account of migration were restored by the Government of India in respect of scholars displaced from non- partitioned provinces and by the State Governments concerned in respect of partitioned provinces.
The Government of India opened for the refugees in Delhi one College, 12 High Schools. 10 Middle Schools. 15 Primary Schools, 14 Craft Middle Schools and one Vocational cum Cultural School. In addition to these, 5 new High Schools and 8 double shifts were started by private bodies. One Camp College was started by the Punjab University. Craft Middle Schools were started for unemployed teachers and students where, in addition to ordinary education upto Middle standard. training in some crafts is imparted with a view to making these institutions self-supporting within a limited number of years by enabling the students to produce for sale marketable material. Ten plots, under the administration of the Custodian of Evacuee Property, have been allotted to different societies who have each been given a building grant of Rs. 10,000/-, as equipment grant of Rs. 6,000/- and recurring grant of Rs. 3,000/- per annum, for running the high classes.
Efforts are being made to reach an agreement with Pakistan regarding the assets of the educational institutions which had to be closed in West Pakistan on account of disturbances. Six colleges and 12 High Schools have, however, already been revived in the Punjab. A grant of Rs. 7 lakhs has been given by the Government of India for assistance to these revived institutions.
A statement (Annexure B) is attached showing the action taken by the State Governments in regard to the rehabilitation of displaced students.
151
ANNEXURE-A
STATEMENT OF PLACING OF TEACHERS IN DIFFERENT STATES AS PER
INFORMATION RECEIVED.
Centrally Administered Areas.
1. Ajmer 294
2. Andamans and Nicobar Islands ..
3. Bilaspur 8
4. Bhopal 37
5. Coorg ..
6. Cutch
7. Delhi 873 1,358
Delhi Municipality 485
8. Himachal Pradesh 14
9. Manipur State 1
10. Tripura 17
11. Vindhya Pradesh 62
Total 1,788
OTHER STATES
12. Assam ..
13. Bihar 47
14. Bombay 475
15. Punjab 4,300
16. Madhya Pradesh 71
17. Orissa 34
18. Madras 51
19. Uttar Pradesh 219
20. West Bengal 844
21. Mysore 2
22. Rajasthan 8
23. Baroda 64
24. Kashmir ..
25. Hyderabad ..
Total 6,115
Grand Total 7,903
152
ANNEXURE-B
STATEMENT SHOWING ACTION TAKEN BY STATE GOVERNMENTS FOR THE
REHABILITATION OF DISPLACED STUDENTS UPTO 1949-50.
Names of the No. of new schools started Money spent by State Govts. Amount spent in running new schools for
Status for refugees up to 1949-50 on financial assistance 1949-50 only.
Status Pri- seco- Coll- Tech- to display students upto 1949-50
mary ndary eges nical Restoration of Exp. on Grant in Exp. on Amount Total
Total Loans scholarships Total Govt. aid to Educat- spent on
Grants lost by migra- Schools new re- tion in Techni-
tion ugee Camps cal Edu-
schools cation
1. Delhi & Delhi 73 30 2 1 115 1,88,004 1,824 1,89,828 12,39,675 59,901 2,00,068 13,79,690 28,79,334
Municipal Commi-
ttee.
2. Ajmer 39 5 .. .. 44 1,03,395 13,397 1,15,792 3,76,433 77,089 19,170 .. 4,72,692
3. Bhopal 4 .. .. .. 4 600 .. 600 .. .. 5,981 .. 5,981
4. Vindhya prad- 11 .. .. .. 11 4,350 4,000 8,350 27,683 .. .. 350 28,033
esh
5. Himachal Pra- .. 1 .. .. 1 1,017 48 1,065 .. .. .. .. ..
desh
6.Nilokheri 1 1 1 3 .. .. .. 1,52,780 .. .. 14,59,400 16,12,180
camp
Total 128 42 6 2 178 2,97,366 18,269 3,15,635 17,96,571 1,36,990 2,25,219 28,39,440 49,98,220
7. Pepsu 4 .. .. 4 10,853 1,032 11,885 .. 50,145 17,260 .. 67,405
8. Rajasthan 89 .. .. .. 89 35,565 .. 35,565 28,112 15,146 84,578 21,034 2,39,557
9. Saurashtra 25 2 .. .. 27 29,944 1,836 31,780 1,18,799 .. .. .. 1,18,799
10. Manipur .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
11. Travancore & .. .. .. .. .. 200 .. 200 .. .. .. .. ..
Cochin
153
12. Mysore 1 .. .. .. 1 2,767 .. 2,767 .. 215 .. .. 215
Total 247 44 6 2 299 3,76,695 21,137 3,97,832 19,43,482 2,02,496 3,30,264 28,60,474 54,27,403
13. Madhya 40 .. .. .. 40 28,763 248 29,011 7,308 5,870 .. .. 13,178
Pradesh
14. Punjab 131 .. .. .. 131 56,88,432 1,04,252 57,92,684 9,60,274 .. 7,20,235 3,30,251 20,10,760
15. Bombay 163 .. .. .. 163 12,42,219 18,799 12,61,018 .. 11,55,373 15,99,873 2,63,626 30,18,872
16. Madras 42 .. .. .. 42 76,505 .. 76,505 6,222 .. 24,398 .. 30,620
17. Bihar 4 .. .. .. 4 1,08,496 .. 1,08,496 .. 20,000 .. .. 20,000
18. Orissa 9 .. .. .. 9 2,707 .. 2,707 .. .. .. .. ..
19. W. Bengal 340 .. .. .. 340 9,14,004 .. 9,14,004 17,51,069 12,59,087 .. .. 30,10,156
Total Part A 729 .. .. .. 729 29,61,126 1,22,299 31,84,425 27,24,873 24,24,873 23,44,506 5,93,877 81,03,586
Total Part B & C 247 44 6 2 299 3,76,695 21,137 3,97,832 19,43,482 2,02,496 3,30,264 28,60,424 54,27,403
Grand Total
A B & C 976 44 6 2 1,028 33,37,821 14,34,436 85,82,257 46,68,355 26,42,826 26,74,770 34,54,301 1,35,30,989
Note.-1. Ministry of Labour gave training facilities to displaced persons in 260 technical centres
in various provinces at a cost of Rs. 67,56,482 upto 31-3-50.
2. Govt. of India in the Ministry of Rehabilitation spent Rs. 25 lakhs in 1947-48, Rs 29 lakhs
in 1948-49, Rs 40.50 lakhs in 1949-50, Rs 90.0 lakhs in 1950-51 under Heading Educational Grants
including stipends and loans.
3. Names of Provinces not mentioned in the statement have not supplied information so far.
154