Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 22: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared a comprehensive package for Kashmiri migrants for their return to the Kashmir Valley, which would be put before Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi after he takes over the charge.
Return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, which Modi had promised during December 1, 2013 `Lalkaar Rally’ at MA Stadium Jammu, has been discussed between Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth and Home Secretary Anil Goswami. A detailed roadmap for return of the migrants would be presented to Modi by the Home Secretary soon after taking over.
Official sources told the Excelsior Modi has apprised his emissaries that he wanted to implement return package of the Kashmiri migrants in true spirits and not like previous packages, which were announced but never implemented seriously, a result of which the migrants were unable to return home.
The Kashmiri Pandits had left their homes in 1989 after the killings of BJP leader Tika Lal Taploo, Doordarshan official Lassa Koul and retired Judge Neel Kanth Ganju with Klashnikov culture setting in. Even after the migration, few Kashmiri Pandits putting up in the Valley continued to be targeted.
Sources said the package for Kashmiri Pandits, which the MHA was likely to present before Modi, included settling the migrants in groups at particular places with extraordinary security in the beginning, Rs 12 lakh per family for construction of houses, Rs 10 lakh for renovation of houses, who had their property in the Valley, Rs 2.5 lakh for orchards, Rs 1000 scholarship per migrant student per month, 3000 Government jobs in the beginning followed by another package of jobs and other facilities required by the migrants on the basis of reports prepared by their representatives.
A special package has been proposed for the businessmen in three categories-small, medium and big under which they would be paid particular amount and soft loans to start their business.
Sources said the new Government would take Omar Abdullah-led Government and genuine representatives of Kashmiri Pandits into confidence before implementing the package, which has been listed as priorities of Modi Government.
The package could be changed slightly on the basis of representations of the migrant representatives.
Sources said the emissaries of Modi had sounded the MHA to get ready with the package for the migrants for their honourable and dignified return to the Valley. The MHA has almost completed the task and kept it ready as and when sought by Modi after formally taking over as the Prime Minister of India on May 26 when the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held.
The emissaries of Modi have, however, made it clear that the package should be acceptable to the Kashmiri migrants before it was given final shape for implementation.
The number of Kashmiri migrants, who have settled at various places of the country especially Jammu, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, was stated to be around three lakh.
As a part of return package, UPA-II led by Dr Manmohan Singh had announced 6000 Government jobs for the Kashmiri migrants in the Valley. Under the package, salaries of 3000 jobs had to be paid by the Government of India while rest of the jobs fell in the State Government quota.
The State Government gave 3000 jobs, whose salaries had to be paid by the Centre but didn’t gave its quota of remaining 3000 jobs.
Sources said the Government also proposed to increase quota of jobs for the migrants on their return to the Valley.
According to sources, the Government feels that return of the Kashmiri migrants to the Kashmir Valley would send message across the country about restoration of normalcy.
However, they said, the biggest question remained about security of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley as they could become soft targets like the Panchayat members. For the purpose, the MHA has prepared a roadmap of fool-proof security arrangements for the migrants, which would be places before the Prime Minister after his takeover.
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