HC stays circular on migrants’ relief

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 27: The State High Court today stayed the operation of Government circular debarring relief to Kashmiri migrants, whose family members have been given job under Prime Minister’s special package.
While staying operation of the circular and directing continuation of the relief, Justice Ali Mohd Magrey  issued notice to the State Chief Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M) and Chief Accounts Officer, Relief Organization (M) for their reply within two weeks.
The court directions were issued  on a petition filed by one Vishal Gandotra who is a migrant from Kashmir Valley residing at Jammu for the last more than 23 years. Giving reference of the Prime Minister’s Package to appoint students from the migrant community so that they may return to Kashmir Valley in phased manner, the petitioner
submitted that various candidates applied for various posts under the package and thereafter got selected and appointed with an undertaking that they will serve in Kashmir valley only even if the situation there becomes volatile. Claiming that the Government had assured migrant appointees that relief to their family members would continue till normalcy prevails in the Valley, the petitioner said that all of a sudden circular was issued debarring other family members to receive the relief.  The order was issued without enquiring into the matter whether the appointee is residing with other family members or not, the petition further said and sought quashment of the controversial circular.