Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 2: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has refused to sanction Rs 91.56 crore worth rehabilitation package for the Jammu migrants at par with Kashmiri migrants and asked the State Government to cough up money from its own resources.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in response to rehabilitation package for the Jammu migrants submitted by the State Government in the month of June this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has conveyed its unwillingness to accord sanction to the same. “The MHA has told in unequivocal terms that it is not feasible for the Ministry to consider the request of the State Government”, they said.
“Since the State Government is already meeting the expenditure on account of relief to the Jammu migrants there is no justification for knocking the doors of the MHA for financial assistance vis-à-vis rehabilitation of these migrants”, sources said quoting the observations of the Union Ministry.
Shocked over the stand taken by the MHA, the Revenue Department, in consultation with the Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Aijaz Khan, has again made a request to the MHA seeking approval to the package on humanitarian ground and on the analogy of the Kashmiri migrants.
“The State Government has conveyed that since the Ministry is already taking care of rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants there would be heart-burning among similarly displaced migrants from various parts of Jammu region if different approach is adopted towards them”, sources said.
In response to a question, they said, “no further communication has been sent by the MHA on the receipt of fresh request from the State Government till date”.
Of these 1054 families, three migrated from Poonch, 172 from Rajouri, 886 from Reasi, 168 from Doda/Kishtwar and 225 from Ramban and presently these are putting up in Talwara, Udhampur, Jammu, Rajouri, Katra, outskirts of Reasi, Pouni, Uchhad Mendhar, Gholad, Surankote and Draba.
Due to reluctance of the Union Ministry the fate of 1054 migrant families remains hanging in balance despite the fact that they were forced to leave their home and hearth in 1995-96. It was after a long gap of 18 years that State Government found it imperative to formulate rehabilitation package for the Jammu migrants and accordingly Department of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation placed a detailed proposal before the State Cabinet, which on June 20, 2013 gave nod to the same.
These migrants are presently getting cash assistance of Rs 400 per person per month subject to maximum of Rs 1600 per family; nine kg wheat per soul per month and 2 kg rice per soul per month; 10 litres of kerosene oil per family per month and cash assistance of Rs 300 per month per cattle for purchase of fodder.
In the package submitted to the MHA, the State Government 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; one time grant of Rs 5000 per kanal for re-cultivation of agricultural land and orchards; creation of 300 Class-IV posts in various districts where from these people migrated; Rs 3 lakh assistance to the unemployed youth for starting income generating units and continuation of existing relief scale for three years after the return of families to native places.
Of Rs 91.56 crore package, Rs 50.06 crore have 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.
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