Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 1: Former minister and PCC vice president Raman Bhalla has said that BJP led NDA Government at the Centre has betrayed the refugees of 1947, 1965 & 1971 from PoK and those from West Pakistan in the recent package announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reacting to a the PM package, Mr Bhalla that the package of one time settlement of refugees comprising financial assistance/ex-gratia relief of Rs 25 lakhs per family, amounting to over Rs 9000 crore alongwith several other concessions was recommended by the previous Congress-NC Government to the Centre, after hot pursuit by the Congress and various organization of refugees.
The BJP which promised to ensure one time settlement of refugees from PoK including those from Chhamb area, under illegal occupation of Pak besides promising citizenship to West Pakistan refugees, before elections, has betrayed them after assuming power.
Bhalla pointed out that the package of relief recommended by the Congress-NC Govt for the PoK refugee families alone was to the extent of over Rs 9000 crores but the present Government failed to grant the same in the recent package of Rs 2,000 crores.
Accusing the Modi Government of “scuttling” their ‘one-time settlement’ funds, PoK refugees demand was to release the Rs 25 lakhs per PoK family grant. A delegation of refugees and displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971 from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) areas met met Bhalla today and discussed the issue of ‘one time settlement’ of Pok refugees. The delegation apprised about the latest status of the package worked out by the previous Congress-NC Govt on the intervention of the UPA leadership in 2012.
He demanded that Autonomous PoK Refugee Development Board be constituted with financial power, refugee leaders should be involved in dialogue process with respect to problems of PoK and till final settlement. Benefit of migrants from Kashmir like monthly relief, ration, reservation in professional college be extended. Separate nomination for MLC must be done by amendment in the constitution. The recommendation of the JPC be implemented.
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