Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 12: Quick on the heels of Prime Minister’s 80,000 crore worth economic package for the State, the Union Government is likely to give nod to construction of a composite township in Kashmir valley which was otherwise to be constructed exclusively for displaced Pandits.
The demand for construction of a separate township within Valley was made by some displaced Pandit organizations for rehabilitation of the community in the Valley and it was supported by the BJP, which is also the coalition partner of PDP.
Official sources that PDP including Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed voiced opposition to the separate township proposal and instead putforth a proposal before the Union Government regarding construction of a composite township in which people from all communities can be settled. The PDP while opposing the BJP’s proposal said that it will further divide the communities and create a gulf among them. It said for the preservation of pluralistic character of the State an inclusive township was in the overall interests of the State, sources added.
Admitting that there will be no separate township for any community in the Valley, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh told Excelsior that a township will be established for the settlement of displaced people and besides the Kashmiri Pandits, the people from other communities, who have migrated from Valley can also be settled there. The prime objective of such township is resettlement of these people and ensuring their proper safety and security, he added.
He said the BJP is committed to the honorable and dignified rehabilitation of migrants, who have been forced to flee from the Valley in 1989-90 and in this regard Union as well as State Governments were going to take appropriate steps.
He said as such there will be no exclusive township for any community including Hindus or non Hindus and any body can be settled there, who have left the Valley in wake of terrorism.
Meanwhile, the Centre has, in principle, approved the construction of 6000 quarters and appointment of 3000 displaced Pandit youth in Kashmir Valley. It will also form the part of recently announced package by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the State.
According to highly placed sources, the approval for construction of 6000 flats with 3000 jobs for displaced youth was in principle given by the Union Home Ministry during a recent meeting held with the State Government officers by the high level officers of Union Home Ministry in New Delhi two days prior to visit of Modi to the State.
Sources said the Union Home Ministry which held a meeting with the representatives of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Ministry in Union Capital has in principle agreed that the Union Government will provide funds for the remaining 3000 jobs out of 6000 jobs which were pending under the PM’s package announced by Dr Manmohan Singh way back in 2008 on his visit to Jammu. Out of these 6000 jobs, the funds for 3000 posts were to be generated by the State Government while for the remaining 3000 posts Union Government had agreed to provide funds at that time.
However, while implementing the package employment process for 3000 posts to be funded by Union Government was initiated and out of them 2187 migrant youth were appointed in different departments during last seven years. However the State Government took a complete U turn in providing funds for the remaining 3000 posts on the pretext that it has no resources for the same and threw the ball in Union Government’s court with the result the implementation of package was delayed for seven long years.
Sources said after coming to power last year, the NDA Government led by Narendra Modi showed keen interest in rehabilitation of the displaced Pandits back in Valley and while discussing pros and cons of the return and rehabilitation package with some representatives of the Pandits as well as State Government, the Union Government showed its willingness to provide funds for the 3000 remaining jobs which were otherwise to be arranged by the State Government from its own resources, sources added.
They said the Union Government has now given its confirmation to 3000 jobs and construction of 6000 quarters for the migrant employees in the Valley. Out of these 6000 quarters, 100 quarters each will be constructed immediately at Migrant Camp Vessu in Kulgam district of South Kashmir and Sheikhpora camp in Budgam district of Central Kashmir.
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