India, Aug. 2 -- The self-enumeration exercise for India's 16th Census began in West Bengal on Saturday, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari saying the survey would create a permanent record for genuine beneficiaries, as he drew a clear distinction between illegal immigrants and refugees. He, however, clarified that the Census exercise and illegal immigration were separate issues.

Facing questions over the status of people not included in the voter list and facing SIR tribunals, Adhikari said illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were ineligible for welfare benefits and would be sent back, as "we will not be able to feed them".

However, those covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be treated as refugees, not infiltrators,...