Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 28: A meeting of All India Jat Mahasabha, J&K was held by its president Manmohan Singh, at Satwari where all Tehsil Jat Presidents of Jammu province gathered to express their relief and gratitude towards State Govt. for taking the initiative of proposing a one time settlement compensatory package concerning the refugees of 1947, 1965& 1971 wars, to Central Govt for approval. The refugee community is of fragmented composition, as of refugees of 1965 & 1971 are about 10000 families, 8150 of which lived in camps and 1850 not living in camps, refugees of West POK are 5764 families, and POK refugees are 26000 families, of which 22000 are still living in rural areas while 4000 families are in urban areas. The package proposed by Govt seems very favorable, as in granting one time settlement by providing, Rs.25 lacs, per family to West POK refugees, Rs.20 lacs per family to POKand Chhamb refugees of 1965 & 1971, and Rs.15 lacs to POK and Chhamb refugees in rural area and allotted land, moreover, transfer of ownership and tenancy rights to Chhamb refugees, providing reservation in professional colleges, reservation of jobs in belt forces and special employment packages to children of these refugees.
These demands were acknowledged by Govt when Jat President Manmohan Singh met and conversed with Ambika Soni, Gen Secy AICC, during her Jammu visit, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health Minister, Saiffuddin Soz, State President AICC and State Ministers, and confirmed their assurances of support in this issue in gaining response from Central Govt.
And during this Jat community meeting, Jat President thanked Ambika Soni, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Saiffuddin Soz and respective MPs, Madan Lal Sharma and Lal Singh, who always supported the refugee issues.
Also they thanked Minister of Relief and Revenue Aijaz Ahmad Khan, who forwarded this long pending issue as a case to be considered by Govt.
The Jat community appealed to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and State Cabinet Ministers to approve the proposal in cabinet as expediently as possible, to further forward the issue for consideration to Central Govt, for funding. The refugees of all communities are very hopeful that finally they can witness an end to their miseries and troubles, which date back to more than 50 years.Choudhary, during this meeting, advised other community leaders that it is time to pressurize Govt in their support, rather than politics for their own benefit.He also thanked the other refugee leaders, who always supported the respective issue, and tried to vest Govt's interest.
As of Jat community, more than 80% of them are refugees, and Manmohan Singh requested the Govt. to resolve this issue concerning their one time settlement, before the upcoming elections, or their efforts will become futile and this issue will gain space in Govt's numerous pending files.The leaders who expressed their appreciation towards Revenue & Relief Minister were Retd. DySP Dewan Chand. Sham Lal, Rashpal, Anil, Baldev Raj, Bhajan Singh, Jagdish, Joginder Singh, Sat Pal, Avtar, Satish, S.Palwinder Singh, and tehsil presidents of Jammu Province. All those present also expressed their grief and condolences on untimely demise of Ashok Choudhary tehsil president, R.S.Pura, Jat Mahasabha, s/o Late Ch.Chuuni Lal, ex MLA. |
