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Rehabilitation for existing Refugees
CHAPTER 3B
3B.1 Problems and Needs
3B.2 Current Activities
3B.3 Goals and Priorities
3B.4 Future Programs and Projects
3B.4.1 Rehabilitation Program for Unsettled Refugees
3B.4.2 Support for the Needy Elderly
3B.4.3 Housing and Infrastructure Program for Established Settlements
3B.5 Implementation
3B.6 Human Resources
3B.7 Monitoring and Evaluation
3B.8 Financial Resources
3B.9 Implications for Free Tibet
3B.10 Budget Summary
3B.1 PROBLEMS AND NEEDS
Rehabilitation continues to be an important priority of the Tibetan Refugee Community. Indeed, on account of the dramatic increase in the number of new refugees arriving from Tibet in recent years the problem has become more acute. Rehabilitation of these new refugees is one of the most immediate and top priorities of the Central Tibetan Administration, and has thus been reviewed in a separate chapter (see Chapter 3A). This chapter deals with rehabilitation facilities for those who came between 1959 and 1979, particularly the as yet unsettled refugees and the elderly, as well as with improvements in housing and infrastructure in the existing Refugee Settlements, all of which come under the purview of the Department of Home.
3B.1.1 Unsettled refugees. While many of the 51,715 refugees living outside the Settlements do so to seek better economic and other opportunities, 9845 of them are unsettled refugees who arrived during 1959 to 1979. Due to resource constraints and sometimes due to remoteness of their location, they have not been provided adequate amenities of housing and means of earning a livelihood, and often live in very poor conditions and have only precarious sources of income. Being scattered they often do not belong to a viable Tibetan community in which they can preserve their language and culture and give their children a Tibetan education.
3B.1.2 Overcrowding in the existing Settlements.Because of the growth in the refugee population there is serious overcrowding in the Settlements. In some cases as many as ten people live in housing designed for five-member households. Moreover much of the housing has not been renovated since the 1960s, even those built as temporary structures. The need for new housing is reflected by the fact that many of the project proposals which were submitted by the Settlement communities are for housing construction.
3B.1.3 The elderly. The first generation to come into exile, who were the pioneers in establishing the Settlements and the CTA, thereby preserving in exile the Tibetan culture, identity and spirit of independence, are now growing old. Many having left or lost their families have nobody to look after them. From the IDP survey of the population it is estimated that around 14,500 Tibetan refugees are over 60 years old, which is about 12 percent of the Tibetan refugee population in South Asia. At least 2200 of these are in need of assistance from the Community, although only 988 are receiving such support in six old people's homes run by the Department of Home or through receiving small stipends.
3B.2 CURRENT ACTIVITIES
The main function of the Department of Home is to rehabilitate and look after the socio-economic welfare of the Tibetan refugees (for the activities of the Department of Home in the economic sector, see Chapter 4). Rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees within India is done in close collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Rehabilitation Division) of the Government of India, as well as various voluntary organizations and individuals. To identify refugees eligible for rehabilitation facilities from the GoI representatives from the GoI, the State Government, and the Central Tibetan Administration conduct joint surveys. Based on the results of this screening, rehabilitation facilities are provided by the GoI in accordance with norms set by them for refugees.
However, since the grants available from the GoI are not sufficient to meet the total expenses required, the deficit has to be met through the efforts of the Department of Home to raise funds from donor organizations and individuals. For those who are found ineligible for rehabilitation assistance from the GoI, the Department of Home has no immediate solution apart from requesting that the GoI reconsider its decision. If the GoI turns down this request, the Department can only provide support for those in greatest need.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC), which is registered as a Charitable Society, is the relief wing of the Department of Home. The main objective of the Committee is to coordinate the efforts of the Indian Government, donor agencies and individuals in rehabilitating Tibetan refugees. It also assists the poor and needy within the Tibetan Community.
The Department of Home and CTRC are currently constructing housing for 140 refugee families in the Kullu Valley who have received no rehabilitation facilities in the past, although further funding to complete this project still needs to be raised. The Department of Home and CTRC are also undertaking a number of smaller projects in various of the established Settlements.
The Department of Home and CTRC run six old people's homes, one in each region where Tibetan Refugee Settlements are found: in Dhoeguling (Mundgod) Settlement in Karnataka, Phuntsokling (Chandragiri) Settlement in Orissa, Doegu Yougyaling (Herbertpur) Settlement in Himachal Pradesh, in Dharamsala, in Dhargyeling (Tezu) Settlement in Arunachal Pradesh, and in Tashi Palkhel Settlement in Pokhara, Nepal. These homes care for 543 elderly people. In addition the Department provides stipends for a further 445 old people.
3B.3 GOALS AND PRIORITIES
To rehabilitate 3000 unsettled refugees.
To improve the housing and other social infrastructure within the established Settlements.
To provide care for 2200 old and infirm people.
Priority within the rehabilitation sector will be given to supporting new refugees who have no resources of their own (see Chapter 3A) and to resettling those refugees who have been recognized by the Government of India as eligible for rehabilitation with financial support from the GoI.
In the past many of those who are eligible for rehabilitation facilities from the GoI have been reluctant to leave the hill country in northern India and Nepal, where climatic conditions resemble Tibet more closely, for the plains of central and southern India. However, almost no land is available for resettlement in the hills, and in view of the dramatic increase in the refugee population, the CTA will press the settlers to look on resettlement opportunities in the plains more favorably. The CTA is also considering the possibility of establishing smaller Settlements which require only small plots of land, which would be easier to acquire. The project for Rehabilitation for Scattered Communities in Mandi District is such an example (see 3B.4.1 below).
In order to move the Refugee Community away from high dependency on external funds towards greater self-reliance, the Central Tibetan Administration is also eager to raise a greater part of the costs of rehabilitation from the beneficiaries than has been the practice in the past. Thus for improving housing and other infrastructure in existing Settlements the CTA expects at least 20 percent of the costs to be covered by the community. For such improvements the CTA will also give priority to Settlements which are poorer and more remote, particularly in the North-East, Ladakh and central India.
In view of the fact that 51,715 Tibetan refugees, or 43 percent of the population in India, Nepal and Bhutan, live outside the Settlements, the Central Tibetan Administration will also seek to establish closer links with these refugees to ensure that the Tibetan identity is preserved even outside the Settlements.
3B.4 FUTURE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
This Chapter comprises three programs, listed in order of priority:
Program 1. Rehabilitation Program for Unsettled Refugees
Program 2. Support for the Needy Elderly
Program 3. Housing and Infrastructure Program for Established Settlements
3B.4.1 Rehabilitation Program for Unsettled Refugees
A. Objective. To provide rehabilitation facilities for 3000 Tibetan refugees who have received no rehabilitation facilities since first coming into exile but who have been selected as eligible for such facilities from the Government of India.
B. Progress since the first IDP. The rehabilitation at Rawangla of 100 families who had been working on road construction has been completed. In addition the Kullu Settlement Housing Project for 140 refugee families is currently being implemented.
C. Projects. Seven new projects under the Rehabilitation Program are planned, in addition to the project currently being implemented in Kullu. Together these projects will rehabilitate 2270 refugees, as well as some additional families in Chandrabani. The Department of Home will continue to explore options for other projects over the next five years, as almost 400 Tibetan refugee families in West Bengal and Sikkim, as well as 215 families currently staying in the Settlements in south India, have been screened and identified as eligible for rehabilitation facilities from the Government of India. The Central Tibetan Administration is also negotiating to transfer 1250 refugees from Tuting area, which is almost inaccessible in the far north-east, to about 200 acres of spare land in the existing Choephelling (Miao) Settlement, the closest Settlement to Tuting. However, the projects cannot be planned until the Department of Home, in collaboration with the Government of India and the concerned State Governments, finds suitable land for resettling the refugees. In the case of Tuting the Central Tibetan Administration has requested the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to allow the refugees to be transferred to Choephelling Settlement.
Under each project homes comprising a living room, a kitchen and a small veranda (with a total area of 310 square feet) are constructed for a family of five members. Of course not all families have five members, but it is not practical to reduce the already small size of the houses to cater for families of less than five people. Once the houses are constructed the allocation of them to the intended beneficiaries is managed by the Project Manager and the working committee whose members are drawn from among the beneficiaries. In order to reduce the cost of construction and ensure better quality the beneficiaries contribute free unskilled labor for construction.
Project 1. Kullu Rehabilitation Project, H.P. (1992-97). There are over 1500 Tibetan refugees in Kullu who have not received any rehabilitation facilities since first coming into exile. Seven hundred of these refugees have been identified by the joint screening committee of representatives of the Central and State Governments and CTRC as eligible for rehabilitation. This project will establish a self-sustaining Tibetan community for these 700 refugees. The project will provide the following facilities:
- 140 family quarters and a common bath and toilet between two family units;
- a handicraft center to accommodate 140 workers (one member from each family), and a small showroom and store room from which to sell handicrafts;
- a primary school and a creche;
- a dispensary; a consumer shop; and a multi-purpose community hall;
- an administrative block and staff quarters.
The total cost of the project is Rs 18.8 million, of which Rs 11.3 million (or 60 percent) have already been raised from the Government of India and various donors. Because of the urgent need of the project, implementation formally started in June 1992 and the funds already secured will be utilized during 1994. However, the project cannot be completed until the remaining funds of Rs 7.5 mMwlion are raised.
Project 2. Dekyiling Settlement Rehabilitation Project, U.P. (1995-1998). There are still 723 refugees in the Dehradun Valley who require permanent shelter and a regular source of income for their livelihood. None of them have received any rehabilitation facilities in the past, and they have been selected by the screening committee of representatives from the Central and State Governments and CTRC as eligible for rehabilitation. This project will resettle these refugees in 145 homes on seven acres of land available at Dekyiling Settlement, and provide them the following facilities:
- 145 homes with common bathrooms and toilets for each two blocks of four homes;
- Extension of the existing handicraft workshop, which weaves apron and yarta cloth and tailors garments, to train and accommodate 145 new workers;
- two small shops and a small godown for the cooperative.
The total cost of the project is Rs 14.3 million, which includes equipment and working capital for the handicraft center, as well as the stipends and other costs of the handicraft training. Some funding for this has already been secured, and the beneficiary households will contribute an additional Rs 290,000 in terms of free labor.
Project 3. Shimla Rehabilitation Project, H.P. (1995-97). Several thousand Tibetan refugees have lived in and around Shimla at first working on road construction sites. Gradually most of them were transferred to various Tibetan Refugee Settlements in India, including one handicraft Settlement in Shimla itself. However, 45 families who have remained around Shimla have been identified as eligible for rehabilitation facilities which they have not received since first coming into exile. Most of them thus survive from petty business and street trading. This project will rehabilitate the 45 families at Kasumpti in Shimla by providing 45 family quarters with nine common toilets and bathrooms and an extension of the existing carpet center where 45 persons can receive training and employment. The total cost of the project is Rs 4.9 million, which includes equipment and working capital for the carpet center, as well as the stipends and the other costs of the training. The beneficiary households will contribute Rs 90,000 in terms of free labor.
Project 4. Chandrabani Settlement, Dehradun, U.P. (1995-97). A plot of 32 acres of land is available for establishing this new Settlement, which was originally intended for 1500 Tibetan refugees who were to be moved from Bhutan. Fortunately the refugees have been permitted to stay in Bhutan, and a new Settlement will now be established at Chandrabani for Tibetan refugee families who have not received any rehabilitation facilities since first coming into exile but who have been classified as ineligible for such facilities from the Government of India. The project will provide family homes with common bathrooms and toilets, as well as borewells for drinking water, and facilities for education and employment. As the decision to change the use of the land was taken recently, no budget for this project has been drawn up yet.
Project 5. Khampa Industrial Society, Bir (Dege), H.P. (1995). Since the inception of this Settlement in 1966 only 100 of the 120 original families received permanent housing. This project will construct ten double unit houses for the remaining 20 families at a cost of Rs 1.4 million. The community will contribute free unskilled labor or cash valued at Rs 0.2 million or 14 percent of the project costs. Funding for this project has already been committed.
Project 6. Dharamsala Rehabilitation Project, H.P. (1997-99). This project will rehabilitate 518 Tibetan refugees in 103 families who have not received any rehabilitation facilities since first coming into exile and have been identified by the joint screening committee. A plot of private land in Dharamsala has been identified, and the Government of Himachal Pradesh has been requested to acquire the plot, as it is difficult for CTRC to purchase the land directly. The Government of India has agreed to pay for the land. The project will provide: 103 homes with common bathroom and toilet for each five families; a carpet weaving center to train and provide employment for one member of each family; a primary school; a small dispensary; and a provision store. The total cost of the project is Rs 15.4 million, which includes equipment and working capital for the carpet center, as well as the stipends and the other costs of the training. The beneficiary households will contribute Rs 206,000 in terms of free labor.
Project 7. Dalhousie Rehabilitation Project, H.P. (1998-2000). More than 1100 Tibetan refugees live in the hilly town of Dalhousie in northern Himachal Pradesh. Of these 56 families have not received any rehabilitation facilities, and have been identified as eligible by the Central and State Government and CTRC. The project will rehabilitate these 56 families on a plot of land near the existing Tibetan handicraft center where they can receive training and employment. CTRC has requested the Government of Himachal Pradesh to purchase the land for this purpose. The project will provide 56 homes with a common bathroom and toilet for every five families, as well as the training in crafts such as carpet weaving, tailoring, boot and bag making. The total cost of the project will be Rs 6.8 million, which includes equipment and working capital for the handicraft center, as well as the stipends and other costs of the handicraft training. The beneficiary households will contribute Rs 112,000 in terms of free labor.
Project 8. Rehabilitation for Scattered Communities in Mandi District, H.P. (1998-2000). There are 45 families around Mandi, Rewalsar and Sundernagar in Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh who have not received any rehabilitation facilities since first coming into exile. Earlier they worked on road construction sites, but now they survive from petty business and street trading. This project will bring these scattered families into a homogenous compact community in which they can preserve and promote their distinct Tibetan culture and traditions. The project will provide 45 family quarters; a carpet weaving center; a creche; an office block and staff quarters. The total cost of the project is Rs 6.2 million, which includes equipment and working capital for the carpet center, as well as the stipends and the other costs of the training. The beneficiary households will contribute Rs 90,000 in terms of free labor.
3B.4.2 Support for the Needy Elderly
A. Objective. To provide adequate support to 2200 elderly, who laid the foundations of the Tibetan Refugee Community, so that they can at least meet their daily necessities.
B. Projects. There are five projects under this Program. The first provides for a stipend for all the needy among the elderly. The following four provide for accommodation for the elderly in old people's homes or other quarters. One has been proposed by the Department of Home, one by Delekling Settlement in Nepal, and two by the Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF) in Mussoorie in north India. THF is one of the major schools in the Refugee Community (see Chapter 5), but also looks after 340 elderly people, including 120 residing in a home run by THF in Rajpur. THF also has to provide accommodation for its retired staff.
Project 1. Stipend for the Needy among the Elderly.The estimated number of those over 60 years old in the Tibetan refugee population is around 14,500 (including almost 600 who came as new refugees from Tibet over the past five years). So long as the elderly can remain in their homes and with their families the CTA encourages them to do so. In the case of 445 such elderly people the Department of Home has found sponsors to provide a small stipend to allow them to stay in their homes. Many others however can no longer earn a livelihood and have no family to depend on. The Department of Home runs six old people's homes which now accommodate 543 such people, 83 more than at the time of the first IDP. In addition the individual Settlement and Welfare Offices find sponsors for some of the elderly under their care; the Tibetan Children's Village, the Tibetan Homes Foundation and the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute have also helped many elderly people. The Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama also provides Rs 100 per month to all those who have reached the age of 85 and above; 117 such old people receive this stipend. However, according to the Department of Home records there are still 1212 elderly who cannot earn a livelihood themselves and do not have any sponsors. The Department of Home is therefore seeking to raise funds to cater for these 1212, in addition to those already covered through its sponsorship program, giving a total of 2200 elderly. For a stipend of, on average, Rs 200 a month for each of these elderly people the Department is thus seeking Rs 29.2 million over five years (incorporating 5 percent inflation a year).
Project 2. Extension of Old People's Home at Dhargyeling Settlement, Tezu (1996). The current home serves the Tibetan Refugee Community in the north-east region but only has 32 places. However, there are many elderly people in the region who do not have any children or relatives and thus need to be accommodated in an old people's home. This project will extend the existing number of rooms to accommodate a further 32 elderly people. The project will also construct a central hall, a kitchen and storeroom, and two common toilets and bathrooms. The capital costs will be Rs 700,000; the recurring costs of running the home will be borne by the Department of Home through sponsorships, as in the past.
Project 3. Old People's Home in Delekling Settlement, Chailsa, Nepal (1997-99). There are many old people in the Settlement who are single and have no one to look after them; others are wholly dependent on their children and grandchildren. This project will provide a home with 15 twin rooms to provide proper care for the elderly, while not removing them from the small Settlement community. The cost of establishing and running the home during the Plan period will be Rs 1.6 million.
Project 4. THF Home for Old People in Rajpur, U.P. (1995). The Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF) provides welfare services to 340 elderly people. About 200 elderly people are still waiting for admission to the existing home in Rajpur, which has enough land to build an extension. THF therefore plans to add ten rooms to accommodate a further 20 old people. These rooms require capital expenditure of Rs 0.6 million. The recurring costs of the home will be borne by THF as in the past.
Project 5. Housing in Rajpur, U.P. for Retired Staff of THF (1997-2000). THF was established in 1962 and during 31 years of its existence about 50 staff members have retired and 15 are due to retire in the next few years. Most of the staff members do not belong to any of the Refugee Settlements, so THF has to provide for their accommodation and care on retirement. THF has purchased 1.5 acres of land at Rajpur for the construction of 15 single quarters and 20 family quarters for retired staff members. The cost of constructing these quarters will be Rs 3.4 million. THF will provide a stipend to its retired staff from its own resources.
3B.4.3 Housing and Infrastructure Program for Established Settlements
A. Objective. Because of an increasing population confined to a fixed allocation of land, many Settlements are now suffering from overcrowding. From the IDP survey, it emerges that there are an average of 7.3 people per pucca house in the Settlements. This statistic should be seen in light of the fact that in many cases a house is merely one room, and many of the houses which were constructed when the Settlement was first established have never been renovated since then. It is therefore understandable that there was considerable demand from the Settlements for housing and infrastructure projects.
The CTA seeks to provide adequate facilities, especially housing, for all the Community, which is the objective of this Program. The Program covers 823 houses, which represents about 9 percent of the total housing stock in the Settlements, as well as other infrastructure: bridges, roads and community halls. However, unlike in the past, the CTA has decided to finance the infrastructure program through a mixture of grants, loans and community contributions (see section E). This will ensure that the Infrastructure Development Program does not deflect from the priorities of rehabilitating newly arrived refugees and unsettled refugees who are eligible for assistance from the Government of India.
B. Progress since the first IDP. A permanent bridge for Hanuman Bagh Settlement in Kullu, H.P., has been constructed. Paljorling Settlement in Pokhara has been constructing new housing with funds raised by the Settlement itself, partly in the form of loans. Funding to reconstruct 100 houses in Phuntsokling (Chandragiri) Settlement in Orissa has been secured.
C. Projects. The projects have been arranged in order of priority by judging which projects are most needed and for which community contributions and participation are highest.
C1. Housing Projects. The cost of each project is given in brackets at the end of each project description. For Projects 1 to 4 and 9 below the local communities will contribute 20 percent of the cost of each project in terms of cash or labor. For Projects 5 to 8 and 10 the Department of Home is seeking 20 percent of the cost of each project as community contributions in cash or labor, 30 percent as a loan and 50 percent as a grant.
Project 1 (1995-99). Dhargyeling Settlement, Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh. The current Assam-type houses are over 30 years old, and many are on the verge of collapsing. There is general agreement within the Community that all of the houses should be repaired or replaced on a priority basis. Rs 0.8 million have thus already been allocated to the project and work begun. The total cost of the project is Rs 5.4 million.
Project 2 (1995-2000). Phuntsokling Settlement, Chandragiri, Orissa. Since 1963 the settlers have been living in mud houses with tile roofs, which suffer badly during each monsoon. These houses were built as temporary accommodation, but have not yet been upgraded. This project will construct brick houses for all 603 households in the Settlement over a period of five years; funding for the first 100 houses to be allocated to the most needy households in the Settlement has been secured. Rs 15.1 million.
Project 3 (1995). Tashi Palkhiel Settlement, Pokhara, Nepal. To provide housing for 20 families who have not received proper housing in the past. Rs 1.4 million.
Project 4 (1996). Sakya Tibetan Society, Puruwala, H.P. To provide ten double unit houses to alleviate overcrowding in 40 joint households. Rs 1.7 million.
Project 5 (1997). Tashi Ling Settlement, Pokhara, Nepal.To construct 20 houses to alleviate overcrowding. Indian Rs 1.4 million.
Project 6 (1998). Tenzingang Settlement, Bomdilla, Arunachal Pradesh. To construct low-cost housing for 60 families to reduce overcrowding in the Settlement. Rs 2.8 million.
Project 7 (1999). Cholsum Settlement, Paonta, H.P.To provide accommodation for 130 people to alleviate overcrowding. Rs 2.3 million.
Project 8 (1999). Phuntsokling Tibetan Handicraft Center, Dalhousie, H.P. In addition to rehabilitating the unsettled refugees (see 3B.4.1 above) a further 44 families in the Dalhousie area need permanent housing, in particular to reduce overcrowding in the existing Handicraft Center. This project will construct 44 homes. Rs 3.7 million.
Project 9 (1999). Lama Hatta Settlement, Darjeeling, West Bengal. To provide 20 houses with kitchens and electricity. Rs 384,000.
Project 10 (1999). Bir Tibetan Society, H.P.To provide 15 twin quarters for 30 families to alleviate overcrowding. Rs 2.6 million.
C2. Bridge and Road Projects
Project 11 (1995). Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Handicraft Center, Shimla, H.P. The link road to the main road as well as the internal paths of this Settlement located on a steep slope are very poor. This project will construct proper paths 3000 feet long and 3 feet wide. The community will contribute free labor valued at 38 percent of the total costs of Rs 360,000.
Project 12 (1995). Tibetan Bonpo Settlement, Dolanji, H.P. This Settlement is located in two different locations divided by a river which becomes impassable during the monsoon, and thus the school, clinic and monastery become inaccessible to the second camp. This project will construct a bridge across the river, which will also be used by the local Indian villagers. The cost of the project is Rs 268,000 of which the community will contribute 20 percent in terms of labor and cash.
Project 13 (1996). Cholsum Settlement, Paonta, H.P.To construct a metalled link road from the main road to the Settlement and school as the current road becomes impassable during the monsoon season. The community will contribute free labor valued at 53 percent of Rs 104,000 which is the total cost of the project.
Project 14 (1997). Choephelling Settlement, Miao, Arunachal Pradesh. The Settlement has constructed three temporary bridges across the various rivers running through this Settlement. However, these bridges are unstable and dangerous, and this project will construct three permanent bridges. The cost of the project will be Rs 450,000 of which the community will contribute 34 percent in terms of labor and cash.
Project 15 (1998). Sakya Tibetan Society, Puruwala, H.P. To construct metalled link roads (5700 feet long) within the Settlement to replace the present roads or paths which become impassable in the monsoon season. The community will contribute unskilled labor valued at 30 percent of the cost of the project (Rs 781,000).
C3. Community Hall Projects
Project 16 (1996). Norgyeling Settlement, Bhandara, Maharastra. To construct a multi-purpose community hall of 2100 square feet. The community will contribute 37 percent of the costs of Rs 324,000 in terms of labor and cash.
Project 17 (1997). Paljorling Settlement, Pokhara, Nepal. To construct a community hall of 2500 square feet, for which a construction firm has already drawn up a preliminary design with costs totalling (Indian) Rs 533,000. Since this is one of the poorer and most overcrowded Settlements in Nepal, and they are giving priority to constructing housing for which they have raised their own funding including loans, the community will contribute only 10 percent in terms of labor and cash towards this project.
Project 18 (1998). Dhondenling Settlement, Kollegal, Karnataka. To construct a multi-purpose community hall of 4000 square feet costing Rs 620,000. The community will contribute 25 percent of the cost of the project in labor and cash.
Project 19 (1999). Tashi Palkhiel Settlement, Pokhara, Nepal. To construct a multi-purpose community hall of 3000 square feet. The cost of construction will be (Indian) Rs 600,000 for which the community will contribute 25 percent in terms of cash and labor.
C4. Other projects
Project 20 (1995). Dhoeguling Settlement, Mundgod, Karnataka. This is the largest Tibetan Refugee Settlement, and as a pilot project the Settlement records, data and accounts, as well as the Cooperative accounts, will be computerized. If this project proves successful computerization will be extended to other large Settlements. The Settlement will purchase a computer with two monitors, a printer and various accessories. The cost of the project will be Rs 147,000 of which 39 percent is allocated to technical assistance and training. Consultants from the Tibetan Computer Resource Center in Dharamsala will be hired, so that they can later provide assistance to other Settlements in computerization. The Settlement Office and Cooperative of Dhoeguling Settlement will contribute 20 percent of the costs of the project.
Project 21 (1997-99). South Zone Coordinator's Office, Bangalore, Karnataka. This Office was established in 1987 to serve the five Settlements in Karnataka in south India, where a quarter of the Tibetan Refugee Community lives. The work of the Office includes coordination between the five Settlements and the Central and State Governments, and between the Settlements and the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala. The Office assists with development projects in all five Settlements, and the local representative of Appropriate Technology for Tibetans, UK is based in this Office. The Office is also responsible for looking after the many Tibetan students in Bangalore and runs a hostel for them. The southern Settlements cover 50 percent of the Office's expenditure, while the Central Tibetan Administration covers the remaining half. At present the Office and the student hostel are located in separate buildings, both rented. As the rental costs increase and more and more Tibetan students are admitted to college in Bangalore the South Zone Coordinator's Office is planning to construct a double-storied building of 10,000 square feet to house the Office, staff quarters, guest house and hostel. The total construction costs will be Rs 8.5 million, of which the Office will raise 12 percent from the five Settlements and 23 percent in the form of loans. The remaining Rs 5.5 million or 65 percent are being sought from donors. The recurring costs of the Office will be covered by the Central Tibetan Administration, the five Settlements as well as income-generating activities. These will include rent for the hostel and guest house, the commission on sales of grain from the Tibetan Settlements and Indian farmers, and fees for various technical consultancy services provided to the Settlements. For these activities the Office will recruit a commission agent and three technical consultants.
3B.5 IMPLEMENTATION
The Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) under the Department of Home is the chief executive in the management and supervision of all rehabilitation programs and projects, and CTRC, which is a registered body, remains answerable to the Government of India and donor agencies. As CTRC has established and managed many Settlements as well as old people's homes in the past the Committee has highly experienced staff available.
For the construction projects the Project Manager usually forms a small working committee whose members are drawn from among the beneficiaries. This committee appoints the necessary local staff such as the Site Supervisor, oversees the purchase of materials, contracts out specialized tasks such as metal work, door and window frames, and monitors the progress of the project. For new housing the committee allocates rooms to the beneficiaries on the list of eligible refugees. For the staff appointed to run each construction project, see the next section.
In the case of support for the elderly the Department of Home, through the respective Settlement and Welfare Offices, is directly responsible for ensuring that the funds raised for the elderly are speedily passed on to the intended beneficiaries. The Settlement Officer and group leaders in Dhargyeling and Delekling Settlements will be responsible for the old people's homes in their respective Settlements. THF will take full responsibility for its two projects for the elderly. THF is already successfully managing the old people's home in Rajpur.
3B.6 HUMAN RESOURCES
For each major construction project the following staff are appointed to ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of the projects:
1. A Project Manager, who has good experience in rehabilitation work. In most cases the Representative of the Department of Home (Settlement Officer) is used as the Project Manager.
2. A Site Supervisor, who is responsible for ensuring that the construction work is carried out as planned. He also acts as general foreman.
3. Architects and Engineers, who are hired on a contract basis to ensure proper technical supervision of the projects.
4. An In-charge of Purchases, to see the required materials are purchased in time.
5. A Store Manager, to take care and control of the materials purchased for the project.
6. An Accountant.
3B.7 MONITORING AND EVALUATION
For each project a detailed time-frame is agreed in advance. For construction projects the Project Manager and the committee of representatives of the beneficiaries monitors the day-to-day progress of the project. Quarterly reports and statements of accounts are submitted to the Head Office; the reports include photographs showing the exact position of the work in progress. Staff from the Head Office also make site visits. A review is undertaken if the project is not being implemented according to the predetermined time-frame. On the basis of all this information the Department submits to donors half-yearly progress reports with statements of accounts, as well as a completion report with an audited statement of accounts.
The beneficiary households who have been allotted housing are responsible for maintaining their houses and thus bear the necessary costs of maintenance. In the case of community infrastructure it is usually the local Settlement cooperative or society that takes responsibility for maintenance.
In the case of the stipend for the needy elderly the Department of Home will draw up quarterly accounts which can be submitted to financial supporters. The Department will also ensure that the accounts of the project are properly audited.
For evaluation purposes the Department consults with the beneficiaries of the project, and takes their views into consideration for other projects. This informal system of evaluation has helped greatly in improving the implementation of the Department's rehabilitation projects.
3B.8 FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Rehabilitation Program for Unsettled Refugees.The total costs of the projects under this Program amount to Rs 56.5 million. The Government of India is contributing the funds for purchasing most of the land (which has thus not been included in the cost of each project). And each household contributes up to Rs 2000 worth of free labor towards these projects, giving a total of Rs 988,000 for all the projects. In addition donors have already committed Rs 1.2 million to this program. Thus the Department of Home is seeking the remaining Rs 54.3 million from donors.
Support for the Needy Elderly. The total costs over five years of the five projects under this Program are Rs 35.5 million.
Housing and Infrastructure Program for the Settlements.In the past funding for housing and other infrastructure projects has usually been in the form of grants. However, in order to reduce the Community's dependency on grants the Department of Home is seeking at least 20 percent of the value of each project from the local community, either in terms of labor or cash (only a few exceptions have been made, as noted above). In addition to these community contributions the Department is looking for donors to provide a package of grants and soft loans. In the case of each project the percentages for contributions, loans and grants have been decided according to two criteria: the priority of the project and the ability of the Community concerned to contribute towards the project.
The Department of Home is therefore seeking to raise the following financial resources to cover the total costs of Rs 49.5 million for the Housing and Infrastructure Program:
Rs 9.5 million (or 19.2 percent) in the form of contributions from the users; Rs 5.5 million (or 11.0 percent) in the form of loans; and Rs 34.5 million (or 69.7 percent) in the form of grants.
Donors have already committed Rs 3.3 million to this program, and the Department of Home is thus seeking the remaining Rs 31.2 million from donors under this Plan.
3B.9 IMPLICATIONS FOR FREE TIBET
Since coming into exile in 1959 the preservation of the Tibetan way of life, with its unique culture, religion and national identity, has been the chief goal of the Refugee Community. The rehabilitation of the refugees in the Settlements has played a critical role in preserving the Tibetan way of life so that it can be reestablished when Tibet becomes independent once again.
The importance of this goal has not diminished with time. Indeed, as a generation of Tibetans grows up in Tibet which has been deprived of the opportunity to learn about its own unique culture, religion, language and identity; as more and more Tibetans have recently been fleeing from Tibet; and as the Chinese population which has been settled in Tibet increases, the need to preserve the Tibetan way of life through rehabilitation of the refugees who have fled Tibet becomes all the more important.
3B.10 BUDGET SUMMARY
The total budget for the programs in this Chapter is Rs 141.4 million, of which Rs 15.0 million (or 14.5 percent) will be covered through community contributions and donor funds that have already been committed. The remaining Rs 126.4 million are being sought from donors, Rs 121.0 in the form of grants and Rs 5.5 million in the form of loans.
The overall budget for the programs in this Chapter is less than in the first IDP, largely for two reasons: 1) since the first IDP the Department of Home has been able to draw up plans for most projects for rehabilitating unsettled refugees, and thus the budget line item for as yet unplanned projects could be excluded; and 2) the largest housing project for Samdupling Settlement in Kathmandu was not resubmitted for the second IDP. The costs of individual projects which also appeared in the first IDP may vary for several reasons: because they have been adjusted for inflation; because the projects have been more carefully planned; because the Department of Home is beginning to use more standard costing across its different projects; because the projects have been expanded in scope.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |||
| UNSETTLED REFUGEES | 67 | 10967 | 12467 | 14200 | 6500 | 56500 | 54312 |
| Kullu Dekyiling Simla Bir Dege Dharamsala Dalhousie Mandi | 3750 4767 2450 1400 | 3750 4767 2450 | 4767 7700 | 7700 3400 3100 | 3400 3100 | 7500 14300 4900 1400 15400 6800 6200 | 7500 14010 4810 0 15194 6688 6110 |
| NEEDY ELDERLY: | 5880 | 6244 | 7655 | 7946 | 7751 | 35475 | 35475 |
| Stipend Dhargyeling Home Delekling Home THF Home THF Retired Staff | 5280 600 | 5544 700 | 5821 700 1133 | 6112 700 1133 | 6418 200 1133 | 29175 700 1600 600 3400 | 29175 700 1600 600 3400 |
| HOUSING: | 5766 | 6066 | 5766 | 7166 | 12011 | 36773 | 22599 |
| Dhargyeling Phuntsoking Tashi Palkiel Sakya Tashi Ling Tenzingang Cholsum Dalhousie Lama Hatta Bir Tibetan Society | 1339 3027 1400 | 1339 3027 1700 | 1339 3027 1400 | 1339 3027 2800 | 3027 2300 3700 384 2600 | 5355 15134 1400 1700 1400 2800 2300 3700 384 2600 | 3484 9597 1120 850 700 2240 1150 1850 307 1300 |
| BRIDGES AND ROADS: | 628 | 104 | 450 | 781 | 0 | 1963 | 1330 |
| Simla Tibetan Bonpo Cholsum Choepheling Sakya | 360 268 | 104 | 450 | 781 | 360 268 104 450 781 | 223 214 49 297 547 | |
| COMUNITY HALLS: | 0 | 324 | 533 | 620 | 600 | 2077 | 1599 |
| Norgyeling Paljorling Dhondenling Tashi Palkiel | 324 | 533 | 620 | 600 | 324 533 620 600 | 204 480 465 450 | |
| OTHER PROJECTS: | 147 | 0 | 4250 | 4250 | 0 | 8647 | 5643 |
| Dhoeguling South Zone office | 147 | | 4250 | 4250 | 147 8500 | 118 5525 | |
| TOTAL: | 24787 | 23704 | 31120 | 34962 | 26862 | 141435 | |
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Last updated: 30-Sept-96