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| 935 Pandit families apply for return | | | Early Times report
Jammu, Aug 26: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s rehabilitation plan for the return of Kashmiri Pandits back to their homes and hearts in the troubled Valley sounded quite doable and state government’s substantiating efforts too have been encouraging but the priorities of this displaced community are somewhere else –security and stability is clearly running high on the minds of Pandit migrants than the economic spinoffs connected with their return to Valley.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s Rs 1618 plan announced in July 2008, not many Kashmiri Pandits have opted for their return to the Valley even though the economic benefits of the plan could have attracted anyone. As per official information, only 935 families have, so far, applied for return to their native homes under this ambitious scheme. It may be mentioned here that in Jammu alone, more than 55,000 families of Kashmiri Pandit migrants are registered with the relief organization. Given the total number of migrants, the willingness of 935 families is insignificant achievement and is a clear reflection of the migrants’ hesitation in their return under present circumstances. Interestingly, even though the Kashmiri Pandit migrants are not quite enthusiastic on their return to Valley but still many of them are on indefinite dharna to press for full implementation of Prime Minister’s package, which among other things, have an attractive employment package.
The Rs 1618.40 Crore return plan was announced by the Prime Minister on recommendations of the first working group constituted after two roundtable conferences in 2005-06. The salient features of the scheme include Rs. 7.50 lakh as cash assistance for construction or renovation of house for those who have sold their properties prior to 1997 and do not possess any house are entitled for Rs. 7.5 lakh as cash assistance for construction of house either on individual basis by arranging land on their own or by forming a group housing society for construction.
Among other features, the migrants who are registered under relief category shall be entitled for relief for two years after they return to valley. Similarly, the school going children who would return to the valley shall be entitled for a scholarship of Rs. 750 per month
In the return plan, there is an employment package for 6000 unemployed migrant youth: 3000 to be borne by GOI and 3000 by State Government besides 9000 jobs shall be generated under self employment scheme.
The migrants who wish to return and want to set up income generating units shall be entitled for a cash assistance of Rs. 5.00 lakh, out of which Rs. 2.50 lakh will be the subsidy component and Rs. 2.50 lakh shall be recoverable in easy installments. He said the migrants shall be entitled for cash assistance for re-cultivation of agriculture and horticulture land up to a maximum ceiling of Rs. 1.00 lakh and Rs. 1.50 lakh respectively adding that migrant who had loan outstanding as of January 01, 1990 shall be entitled for waiver of interest.
According to Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, so far 935 families have filled up such forms expressing their willingness to return to Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, bio-data of 13535 unemployed Kashmiri migrant youth have been collected in pursuance of the decision taken in the meeting chaired by Governor.
As per the observations of the Finance Department the scheme as a whole has to be approved by the Cabinet which is being done shortly. He said the revision in enhancement of cash relief upto Rs. 1000/- per person subject to maximum of Rs. 4000 per family of four has been ordered. He said at present Rs. 1000/- per soul subject to a ceiling of Rs. 4000/- per family is being provided to the migrant besides 9 kg rice, 2 kg Atta per soul and 1 kg sugar per family is also being given to them on monthly basis. |
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