Govt approval for upgradation, maintenance of TRTs in J&K: Ambardar

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has given its nod for the upgradation and maintenance of 5242 TRTs in Jammu and Transit Accommodations (TAs) in Kashmir valley at a cost of Rs 27.93 crore, Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Syed Basharat Ahmad Bukhari said in reply to a question by Surinder Mohan Ambardar in the Legislative Council, today.
The Centre has not released any funds for the past three years for renovation and repair of Kashmiri migrant Two Room Tenements (TRTs) and Quarters in Jammu.
He said since the upkeep and renovation of TRTs and QRTs is being carried out under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE), re-imbursed by the Union Government, no funds were received in this behalf during the last three years.
However, keeping in view demand of migrants, minor repairs of some flats needing immediate attention have been carried out of available funds under head infrastructure facilities to Kashmiri Migrants under SRE, which has been clubbed with civic action programme with effect from the year 2015-16.
The reply said with regard to 5242 TRTs at jagti Nagrota and Muthi Purkhoo a proposal for up gradation and maintenance was forwarded to Centre for approval in the year 2015.
The Centre has now conveyed approval for the up-gradation and maintenance of these TRTs in Jammu and Transit Accommodation in Kashmir valley at different locations at a cost of Rs 27.93 crore as one time measure.
The funds are expected to be released shortly, the reply said. Meanwhile, the Minister said 52 ailing migrants were reimbursed their medical claims out of available interest amount of Corpus fund involved an amount of Rs 28.12 lakhs during the past 3 years.
He said reimbursement of medical claims of ailing migrants is made by Relief Organisation (migrants) out of the interest amount of Corpus fund of Rs 5 crore lying with Finance department.
The reply said there was 40.18 lakh interest accrued on Corpus fund during the year 2013-14 when cumulative availability of interest amount was Rs 148.01 lakh and expenditure was just Rs 2.43 lakh.
In 2014-15, the interest accrued was Rs 7.90 lakh and cumulative interest was Rs 155.91 and amount utilised was Rs 15.14 lakh, while in 2015-16, interest accrued was Rs 6.05 lakh, cumulative interest Rs 161.96 lakh and utilised Rs 10.54 lakh, the reply said. (AGENCIES)