Only one Pandit family returns to Valley under govt package

Only one Kashmiri Pandit family has returned to the Valley availing a centrally-sponsored scheme announced by the government for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said that a comprehensive package amounting to Rs 1,618.40 crore was announced by the government in 2008 for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants which provides for many comprehensive facilities that includes funds for purchase or construction of house.

"The package is being implemented by the Jammu and Kashmir government and so far one family has returned to the Valley availing the benefit of Rs 7.5 lakh for construction of house," he said in reply to a written question.

The Minister said state government jobs have been provided to 1,446 migrant youths and 469 transit accommodations have been constructed in the Kashmir Valley and allotted to the newly appointed migrant employees under the package.

Under Prime Minister's package 2004, a total of 5,242 two room tenements have been constructed in Jammu at four locations and have been allotted to migrants.

Further, 200 flats have been constructed at Sheikhpora in Budgam district and have been allotted to the migrants on sharing basis who have joined the state government service under employment component of Prime Minister's package 2008.

"Out of these 200 flats, 31 flats have also been allotted to the local migrants who have migrated from their native places to other places within the Kashmir Valley," he said.