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| Underutilization of funds in PM's relief package irks CAG | | Return, rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants | | Mustansir
SRINAGAR, Mar 25: In its audit report on Prime Minister's Relief Package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the CAG has brought to fore the irregularities, inefficient and underutilization of funds under various components of the scheme. The report points out that inspite of having spent Rs. 120.41 crore the scheme has not achieved its intended outcome.
The militancy in the State triggered large scale migration of members of the Kashmiri Pandit community from the Kashmir valley to mainland at Jammu and other places in the year 1989 to 90. To provide financial assistance/relief to the affected families like arrangement for accommodation, payment of cash assistance, issue of free ration etc. a Relief Organization was created (March 1990), headed by the Relief and the Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) in the Revenue Department Government of Jammu and Kashmir. All the migrants were expected to apply for registration and issue of ration card to the Department. However, only 15,000 families are drawing relief at Jammu while the remaining 20,000 families are registered without relief benefits.
The Prime Minister during his visit to the State in April 2008 announced, inter-alia, a package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. Thereafter, a formal State Government Order was issued in October 2009 detailing 7 components of the scheme with total cost of Rs. 1618.40 crore. The migrant families who were interested to return to Valley and avail the facilities announced under the package were advised to furnish necessary information on the prescribed forms to the office of Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Jammu and office of Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi. In response 5136 migrant families had shown willingness to return to the Valley by filling their details in the prescribed form. However, only one family had so far actually returned to the Valley. Against budget allotment of Rs. 172.09 crore, the department could spend Rs. 120.41 crore during the years 200-09 to 1012-13 which was reimbursable by the Central Government.
Under the package assistance at the rate of 7.5 lakh was to be provided to each returnee family for repair or construction for fully or partially damaged house (more than 20% damage) and assistance of Rs. 2 lakh per family for dilapidated/unused houses (less the 20% damage). The assistance of Rs. 7.5 lakh per family was to be provided for purchase/construction of a house in Group Housing Societies for those who have sold their properties during the period after 1989 and before the enactment of the J&K Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint of Distress sale) Act, 1997 (May 30, 1997). The migrants were expected to form a Group Housing Cooperative Society. Against a budget allotment of Rs. 1100 lakh for the years 2008-09 to 2011-12, an assistance of Rs. 5 lakh only against the provision of Rs. 7.5 lakh was provided to one returnee family under the package.
As per the return package, the returnee migrant families were to be provided transit accommodation during the interim period when they undertake the reconstruction/repair of their houses and for those who may not be accommodated in transit accommodation were to be paid rental and incidental expenses for a period of one year subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1 lakh per family per annum. A provision of Rs. 60 crore was made for construction of transit accommodation (2-room sets) at four sites (Vessu Anantnag, Hawal Pulwama, Nathusa Kupwara and Khanpora Baramulla) and an amount of Rs. 40.85 crore had been spent on construction 463 units (Vessu Anantnag Rs. 2 crore, Hawal Pulwama Rs. 22.73 crore, Nathusa Kupwara Rs. 13.82 crore and Khanpora Baramulla Rs. 2.3 crore) as of March 2013.
Since only one migrant family had returned to the Valley, 363 two room sets out of 463 constructed two room sets were allotted to the migrant employees appointed under the PM's package even though their families have not returned to the Valley, points the audit report. Thus, the expenditure of Rs. 40.85 crore incurred on the construction of two room sets have not been utilized effectively.
15,000 unemployed migrant youth was to be provided with employment opportunities under the package. Out of 15,000 overall employment target, 6,000 jobs was to be provided in the State Government service. The Central Government had agreed to bear the salary cost for 3,000 youth till they were absorbed against regular post in the State Government. The remaining 9,000 unemployed youth was to be assisted with one time assistance of Rs. 5 lakh (50% grant, 50% loan) for facilitating them in getting self employment/business venture. Out of 6,000 posts sanctioned under the package, 3,000 supernumerary posts only had to be created (Oct 2009) by the State Government for Kashmiri migrants in different departments. Out of this only 1,446 posts had been filled as of March 2013 in the Valley. The department had incurred an expenditure of Rs 79.51 crore on the salary of these employees during the period 2009-10 to 2012-13, but they were not adjusted against regular vacancies. |
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