Srinagar August 25 (Vijay Kumar) – The Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla today informed the Legislative Assembly that an employment package for 6000 unemployed migrant youth stands approved out of which 3000 will be borne by Government of India and 3000 by the State government.
Raman Bhalla was replying to a question of M. Y. Tarigami. He informed the house regarding the features of rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri migrants in vogue. He said that Rs. 1618.40 crores have been earmarked for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit Migrants in the valley. He said the features of Prime Ministers package for return of Kashmir Migrants is that Rs. 7.50 lakhs to each migrant as cash assistance for construction and renovation of house for those of the migrants who have sold their properties prior to 1997 and do not possess any house are entitled either on individual basis by arranging land on their own or by forming a group housing society for construction.
The Minister said that transit accommodation would also be made available by government for a period of six months or in case the migrants arrange house on rent initially the amount of rent shall be reimbursed.
He said those migrants who are registered under relief category shall be entitled for relief for two years after they return to valley. Adding that the school going children who would return to valley shall be entitled for a scholarship of Rs. 750/- per month.
That Minister said that the migrants who wish to return and want to set up income generating units shall be entitled for cash assistance of Rs. 5 lakhs out of which Rs. 2.50 lakhs will be the subsidy component and Rs. 2.50 lakhs shall be recoverable in easy installments.
He said that the migrants shall be entitled for cash assistance for re-cultivation of agricultural and horticultural land upto a maximum ceiling of Rs. one lakhs and Rs. 1.50 lakhs respectively adding that those migrants who had loan outstanding as on January 1990 shall be entitled for waiver of interest.
The Minister said that the monthly cash assistance was enhanced for Kashmiri migrants residing in Jammu in July 2006 from Rs. 750/- to Rs. 1000/- per soul per month subject to a ceiling of Rs. 4000/- per month per family. The relief to the migrants who have settled outside J&K is being paid by the respective states, he added.
He said as per the policy in vogue the ex-gratia relief to damaged properties is being paid to the extent of 50% of the damage subject to ceiling of Rs. one lakh per structure. At present there is no provision to provide ex-gratia relief beyond Rs. one lakh per structure, he added.
The Minister said that the flats constructed in Sheikhpora and Mattan are transit accommodation for those Kashmir Migrants who are willing to return to valley and interact with their neighbours and relation.
He said that at Jagti 4,218 flats are under construction and the project is expected to be completed by May 2010.