Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 28: With a purpose to provide accommodations to Kashmiri migrants in housing colonies together with the local populace, the State Government today revealed that Centre has conveyed approval for the construction of additional 6000 transit accommodations in Kashmir Valley and creation of 3000 additional posts for them which will be funded by Government of India.
In a written reply to question of MLA Engineer Abdul Rashid in Lower House, the Minister Incharge, Relief and Rehabilitation said for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the GoI and the State Government have sanctioned a package of Rs. 1618.40 crore in the year 2008-2009 wherein Rs. 7.50 lakh have been allocated to those who wanted to come back and build their houses.
“For those who cannot return due to non availability of land for construction of house the general purpose is to provide them accommodation in housing colonies proposed to be constructed on certain areas together with the local populace; 6000 Government jobs and 9000 additional jobs through income generating units will be also provided. Moreover, one time grant for revival of agriculture and horticulture land, continuation of relief for two years, scholarship to school going children and waiver of interest will be given,” he said.
Government of India has now conveyed approval for construction of additional 6000 transit accommodations in Kashmir Valley for allotment to Kashmiri migrants and also conveyed approval to the creation of 3000 additional posts for Kashmiri migrant youth with funding from GoI, said the Minister, adding that process for creation of these 3000 additional posts is underway.
The Minister also said that Kashmiri migrants under relief category are presently being provided monthly cash of Rs. 2500 per person per month subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per family per month. In addition to these the families are provided 9 kilograms of rice, 2 kilograms of atta and 1 kilogram sugar per person per month respectively.
“From March 2014- April 2016 and amount of Rs. 321.948 crore has been incurred for providing cash assistance to Kashmiri migrants and also an amount of Rs. 18.76 crore incurred for providing grains to migrants registered under relief category in Jammu,” he said.
The Minister said two migrant families have already returned to their native places in Valley and Rs. 12.50 lakh have been provided for construction of house at their native place of stay in the Valley.