New citizens of India and their socio-economic development: a case study of resettled people from Bangladesh after Land Boundary Agreement 2015

Kavita Arora (), Swati Rajput, Vishwa Raj Sharma and Sunil Kumar Yadav
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Kavita Arora: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi
Swati Rajput: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi
Vishwa Raj Sharma: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi
Sunil Kumar Yadav: Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi

Journal of Social and Economic Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 2, No 6, 472-488

Abstract: Abstract Citizenship of a country is the most privileged form of nationality. It is a link with legal attributes between a state and an individual, in which the state provides protection and some fundamental and legal rights by its rules and laws. The residents of Chitmahals—pieces of land along the India–Bangladesh border—were historically deprived of this privilege and were living a miserable life because of their statelessness owing to the geo-political situation. In July 2015, there was a Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh (LBAIB) by which India transferred 111 enclaves having 17,160.63 acres to Bangladesh, and in exchange, Bangladesh transferred 51 enclaves of 7110.02 acres to India. While offering constitutional and legal protection to resettlers, the LBA also provides citizenship to those who were historically deprived of this right. Comprising the 14,215 people from 51 enclaves, the Indian government gave citizenship to 922 people from Bangladesh enclaves who voluntarily opted for Indian citizenship. The Indian government conferred them citizenship as stipulated under LBAIB and provided necessary identity cards like voter ID, aadhar card, ration card, and job card to avail government scheme benefits. These people are now settled in three resettled colonies. In this background, the present study aims to analyze the socio-economic conditions of people living in the resettlement clusters at Dhinata, Mekhliganj, and Haldibari in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal. Their socio-economic conditions are evaluated through various data in the form of graphs, mapping techniques, and by utilization of data collected through primary and secondary sources. A Standard of Living Index has also been prepared and evaluated from the data collected from the primary survey. This research presents their present standard of living and also highlights their experiences, feelings, and expectations as a new citizen.

Keywords: Citizenship; Development; Enclaves; Standard of living (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s40847-024-00343-7

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