BJP MLA seeks extension of scheme beyond Mar 31
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: As the scheme for providing package to the refugees of Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and other refugees is closing on March 31 and BJP MLA from RS Pura-Jammu South Dr Narinder Singh has sought it’s extension, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly that 20523 families of PoJK have been provided relief benefits under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
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“Out of 26319 displaced families of PoJK 1947, 21084 had applied for relief benefits announced under PMDP-2015. Of them, 20523 cases have been approved and 561 files are pending or have been rejected due to deficiency of documents/court cases,’’ the Government informed the Legislative Assembly today in response to an un-starred question of BJP MLA Dr Narinder Singh.
The Minister Incharge Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department briefed the BJP MLA that several steps were taken by the Government to ensure that all eligible PoJK displaced persons of 1947 are covered under the ambit of the scheme.
It said more than 577 outreach camps were organized by the designated authority (PRO Jammu) at the tehsil level in Jammu division for guidance/awareness of the left-out families to ensure that no family having required number of documents is left out from the claim.
“Awareness was also generated among displaced persons of PoJK (1947) through print media and public notices for availing the benefit of the scheme,’’ the Government said.
The Government referred to easing out of formalities to help PoJK displaced persons to claim benefits.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from RS Pura-Jammu South Dr Narinder Singh has sought extension in last date of the package scheme for refugees
He said that the Government of India sanctioned a relief package of Rs. 5.5 lakh per family for 36,384 Displaced Person Families (DPF) comprising of 26,319 families displaced in 1947 from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and 10,065 families displaced during 1965 and 1971 wars from Chhamb.
He said that approximately four thousand families of 1947 PoJK refugees were excluded due to non-availability of mandatory records.
Dr Singh said that relaxation in documentation was granted in respect of families displaced during 1965 and 1971. He said he was apprised that efforts/steps were taken to ensure that all the eligible PoJK DPs of 1947 may be covered under the ambit of the scheme, which includes the easing out of prescribed documents for establishing displaced status.
Dr. Narinder Singh pointed out that there was substantial delay to grant ease to the aggrieved refugees in the terms of mandatory documentation. He said that although they won the case in a double bench in 2023, the decision to grant ease was only taken in March 2025.
He pointed out that the PoJK package scheme is due to close on March 31, 2025 and stressed that it should be extended to impart the benefit of this order to the rightfully deserving population PoJK refugees and asserted that there will be no benefit of this order if the scheme is not extended beyond the due date.
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