Kendrapara: Bangladeshi settlers living in coastal pockets have sought restoration of government's social security scheme benefits for them.

On January 15, 2005, 1,551 suspected Bangladeshis from 362 families in Mahakalpada tehsil of coastal Kendrapara district were served deportation notice under Foreigners' Act, 1946.

The move, however, was kept in abeyance by the Union home ministry following protests from various quarters.

However, after being marked as foreigners the government withdraw benefits of schemes they used to enjoy so far. The suspected Bangladeshis have recently appealed to the district administration for restoration of benefits.

Government benefits entitled to an Indian citizen had been withdrawn in a phased manner for these foreign nationals in conformity with the legal provisions of Foreigners' Act.

The residential nativity certificates issued to them have been nullified and their names struck off from the voters' list. Subsidised ration has also been stopped.

"Some of the Bangladeshis have sought ration facilities and other social security benefits. However, technically they are not eligible for it. The administration has referred the matter to competent authorities seeking opinion on the legality of extension of these benefits to the alleged foreign nationals," said Mahakalpada tehsildar Nila Madhav Bhoi.

"Foreign national stigma haunts us though my family has documentary proof of citizenship. Our prayer for reconsideration of nationality status is pending. We are poor. I live on fishing. We are deprived of ration and other benefits earmarked for poor citizens of the country," Rabi Mandal, a resident of Lunimathia village.

He was enumerated as a Bangladeshi by government agencies and served deportation notice.