Pandits return, rehabilitation a sensitive issue: KPC

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 27: Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has reiterated that the return and rehabilitation of internally displaced Pandits is a sensitive and complicated issue which needs serious thought from Government as well as community leadership.
Addressing the party meetings at Union Capital today KPC, chief Kundan Kashmiri said that the PM’s rehabilitation package for displaced Pandits be delinked from return of the community to their previous locations in Valley and the return should be as per the wishes and aspirations of the community.
Kashmiri said instead of return the benefit of the package be given at the present places where the displaced Pandits are putting up for last 23 years till their rehabilitation at a consolidated place in Kashap land where the writ of the Indian Constitution runs large.
He made it clear that the return formula will not work as it fails to fulfill the aspirations of the community.
While appreciating enhancement of relief to Rs 10,000 he appealed the Union Government for granting early approval to the same. He however criticized the State Government for denying funds for 3000 posts under PM’s package which were borne by it and said does the Pandits have no place in State Government.
He appealed the Centre that instead of giving funds for these posts to state it should appoint these 3000 posts in Central Government departments and said State Government has no right to make amendments in basic package approved by Centre.