Srinagar, Mar 25:
The Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Tuesday that the relief benefits for approximately 1,250 Kashmiri migrants are currently under examination by a screening committee formed on October 11, 2024. Several legislators, however, raised concerns, claiming that most of these migrants are political workers and urged the government to revive and streamline the relief process.
The issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly during the ongoing budget session by M.Y. Tarigami, MLA Kulgam. He sought details on the measures being taken for Kashmiri migrants, including Kashmiri Pandits and those who fled due to security threats, whether as political workers or for other reasons.
Responding both in writing and on the Assembly floor, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, on behalf of the incharge minister Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, said that the Prime Minister had announced a Rs 1,618.40 crore package in 2009 for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. The package broadly covers housing, transit accommodation, continuation of cash relief, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance for agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.
Government said, “in order to facilitate return and rehabilitate Kashmiri Migrants in the Kashmir Valley, during 2009, Government of India sanctioned 3000 Posts under PMRP and under PMDP-2015, additional 3000 posts were also sanctioned totaling to 6000 posts. Against the said posts, appointment orders in respect of 5868 have been issued (97.8%) so far. The remaining 132 posts are in pipeline for completion of selection process.”
“In order to accommodate Kashmiri Migrant Government Employees engaged under PM’s Package in Kashmir valley, the Government of India further sanctioned the construction of 6000 Transit Accommodation in different Districts of Kashmir Valley during December 2015. Out of the total of 6000 flats to be constructed, work on 5160 flats have been taken up for construction, out of which 3120 flats have been completed up to ending January, 2025 and the balance 2040 flats are still under construction. Moreover, the remaining 840 flats are likely to be taken-up shortly,” government revealed.
During the discussion, MLA M.Y. Tarigami asked a supplementary question, inquiring whether the current government has any plans to make arrangements at district headquarters for those willing to return to Kashmir and to encourage their rehabilitation.
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said, “When this migration happened, Dr. Farooq Abdullah was deeply pained, and everyone in this House (Assembly) feels the same. As far as the MLA’s concern is valid, everyone is concerned about this issue. Every time the National Conference has been in power, we have focused on ensuring a dignified return for the migrants. The central government has also been making efforts in this regard.”
He further added that efforts have always been made to facilitate their return and emphasized that apart from Kashmiri Pandits, other communities are also to be rehabilitated. He assured that both the J&K and central governments are actively working on this issue.
Tarigami also raised the issue of those Migrants belonging to other communities who migrated because of threat perception. “Migration is migration, and if we start dividing miseries by community, it would be unfair. There are approximately 1,300 political workers from various parties who last received relief two years ago. If a committee was constituted in 2024, there should be no double standards in providing relief to them,” he argued.
On the same question, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri suggested that the government should provide financial assistance from the Rs 1,618 crore package for the renovation and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits who are willing to return to their original homes. “Why not allocate funds for their rehabilitation at their proper places and encourage them to return?” he asked.
Many other legislators from both NC and BJP put forth their suggestion, demands regarding the relief and rehabilitation of migrants including the political migrants whom they claimed that their relief has been stopped.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister assured the House that all concerns would be reviewed, and that migration affected multiple regions. “I come from a family divided after 1947. All suggestions will be examined, and whatever is possible will be done,” he added.
