J&K govt cannot give govt jobs to West Pak refugees: Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today said no jobs in the state services can be given to West Pakistani refugees.

"I agree that I cannot provide them government employment (to the West Pak refugees). I assure we will get them priority in private sector. Until there is any round table, till then we cannot do any," Mufti told Legislative Assembly here today.

West Pakistan numbering near one lakh are living in Jammu and Kashmir as unwanted citizens of the State without any state subject rights for last over six decades.

"Why this issue was not resolved? It is human problem. Why was it done? When you could not do when you had 2/3rd majority. Omar sahib, it is human problem," he said.

In the agenda for alliance, Mufti government has said that the coalition government will also take all measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan Refugees.

In a reference to the government's resolve to address the issue of one-time settlement of refugees from across the LoC, the Chief Minister said, the coalition government will also take all measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan Refugees.

"I have framed a Committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, which will look into the issue," he said.

Referring to the need for return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, he said the social fabric of Kashmir was incomplete without them.

"The Centre has a comprehensive policy for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit community and many of our brethren have taken benefit from it," he said, adding that an enabling peaceful environment will facilitate a gradual return of the community to the Kashmir valley.

Mufti said during the UPA rule he had told the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that even temporary facilities for the community should have been set up within the valley so that they could gradually reintegrate into their culture and milieu.

Referring to the issue of political prisoners in the State and the perception in media about the exact number, the Chief Minister said there are only 37 detenues under PSA. Among them, 20 are foreign nationals, while only 17 detained under PSA are locals.

The Chief Minister stated that all lands other than those given to the security forces on the basis of lease, licenses and acquisition in which due process of law has not been followed, shall be returned to the rightful owners, except in a situation where retaining the lands is absolutely imperative in view of specific security requirement.

He said in any case, monetary remuneration, be it in the form of rents or compensation, will be made fairly at market rates. A committee would be set up to take a decision on it, he said.