Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 20: State Government has prepared Rs 91.56 crore package for the return and rehabilitation of the Jammu migrants and the same is being placed before the Cabinet tomorrow morning for approval and subsequent submission to the Union Government for sanction and allotment of funds.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that Government has observed that with the improvement in the law and order situation, the Jammu migrants from the erstwhile districts of Doda, Reasi, Poonch and Rajouri, have started visiting their native places and presently there was no problem for their permanent rehabilitation at their respective places.
“Keeping this in view, the Revenue Department has prepared Rs 91.56 crore package for the return and rehabilitation of the Jammu migrants on the analogy of package for the Kashmiri migrants”, sources said, adding “the package is being placed before the Cabinet tomorrow morning for discussion and approval. If approved by the Cabinet the State Government will approach the Government of India for release of funds to implement the package”.
Under the package, the Revenue Department has proposed Rs 7.50 lakh to each family for construction of fully damaged houses and an amount of Rs 2 lakh for partially damaged house. However, the amount will be paid only after proper verification by the CID authorities and district administration, sources said.
“All those families, who are in possession of agriculture/horticulture land will be provided one time grant of Rs 5000 per kanal for re-cultivation of agricultural land and orchards”, sources said while disclosing that Jammu migrants are in possession of around 15810 kanals of land which will be re-cultivated by them after return to their natives places.
In view of the family strength and the qualification of unemployed youth, the Revenue Department has proposed creation of 300 Class-IV posts in various districts where from they migrated, sources said, adding “as per the package the unemployed youth within the age limit of 18 to 37 years having at least basic qualification of matric would qualify for these posts. However, only one member from each family would be considered for employment that too after return to native place.
About the unemployed youth, who don’t qualify for the employment due to various reasons mainly age limit and qualification, the Revenue Department has kept a provision of providing assistance to the tune of Rs 3 lakh for starting income generating units. Out of this amount, Rs 1.50 lakh will be as subsidy and balance will be refundable in 10 years with nominal interest.
“It has also been proposed that existing relief scale will continue for three years only after the family returns to native place”, sources said. At present these migrants are getting cash assistance of Rs 400 per person per month subject to maximum of Rs 1600 per family, 9 kg wheat per soul per month, 2 kg rice per soul per month, 10 liters of kerosene oil per family per month and cash assistance of Rs 300 per month per cattle for purchase of fodder.
The number of such families is 1054, which include 3 from Poonch, 172 from Rajouri, 886 from Reasi, 168 from Doda/Kishtwar and 225 from Ramban. An amount of Rs 1212 lakh has been expended on account of relief at the present scale on these migrants since 2007-08.
“The package would not only help Jammu migrants to return to their native places but also stop fresh migration as people on flimsy grounds are still approaching various authorities for grant of registrations in order to avail the undue benefits”, sources said.
Of Rs 91.56 crore package, Rs 50.06 crore has been proposed under repair and reconstruction of houses component, Rs 8 crore for re-cultivation of agricultural lands and orchards, Rs 16 crore for providing employment to 300 youths for three years at the rate of Rs 15000 per employee per month, Rs 9 crore for financial assistance for 300 income generating units and Rs 8.50 crore for continuation of relief for three years, sources said.
In response to a question whether this package would also meet the fate that of package for the Kashmiri migrants, sources said, “though much progress has not been made so far but after joining of more than 1446 employees appointed under Prime Minister’s package in the Valley, it is expected that in near future there will be much progress with regard to their returning to Kashmir valley”.
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