Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 1: National Panthers Party president and MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia today said that in the recently held Parliamentary Standing Committee meet in Delhi, he and his senior party leader Prof Bhim Singh strongly projected the issues of refugees from Jammu and especially those from Talwara in Reasi.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Mankotia claimed that only one political party from the State represented the PSC meet which was chaired by senior BJP leader V Naidu. He pointed out that Prof Singh strongly presented the case of Talwara refugees who were discriminated and not even single penny of relief was provided to them by State Government despite clear Supreme Court directions.
He pointed out that SC had issued directions in 2000 in this regard and a cash relief of Rs 21 crore had to be disbursed by State to these migrants between 2004-07 but unfortunately State Government despite contempt proceedings did not pay the relief to these families till date. It was alleged that Government adopted two different yardsticks for the refugees/ migrants in J&K while those migrated from Kashmnir valley were provided maximum benefits but those displaced from Doda, Mahore, Reasi, parts of Rajouri in Jammu region were neglected. The PSC took serious note of the issue and asked the Government to treat them at par with the other migrants. He said Anil Goswami was representing the Government from the Ministry of Home Affairs and assured to take appropriate steps in this regard.
It was also stressed upon the NPP that a proper rehabilitation policy be announced by Govt for the migrants from Jammu region and all the pending issues of the PoK refugees of 1947, 65 and 71 and West Pak refugees be resolved without any further delay. The NPP leader also gave 2 weeks ultimatum to the Government to fulfill these demands otherwise the party would launch an agitation.
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