Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 26: A delegation of Migrant Cell of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) led by its chairman Hira Lal Pandita called on AICC vice president and MP Rahul Gandhi here today.
Mr Gandhi who was on two days tour of Jammu region was apprised by the delegation of various problems of displaced people from the Valley who are leading an exiled life for over last 25 years in Jammu and other parts of the country.
The delegation while expressing grave concern over delaying tactics adopted by the Government in implementation PM’s employment package for displaced youth which was sincerely announced by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in 2008 has generated a lot of resentment among the displaced Pandits.
The delegation informed Mr Gandhi that out of 6000 posts announced by Dr Singh under the package only 2000 displaced Pandit youth were given jobs under it in last seven years.
It said that even after the passage of over two decades both the Central and State Governments have failed to take a decision on the rehabilitation of displaced people in Valley though many promises and claims were made in this regard from time to time. It said one generation of the community has vanished in this hope over these years but the day has not come till date.
Mr Gandhi was also informed that Hurriyat Conference is opposing the rehabilitation in township but the Pandits after their migration sold their maximum property to feed themselves in exile and also meet their social responsibilities hence it is not possible for them to settle at their original residential places in Valley.
Moreover had the employment package been implemented in letter and spirit over 6000 families would have been settled in Valley but it is not known why the Government is delaying the same.
Mr Gandhi informed the delegation that Congress was committed to the rehabilitation of Pandits and all the welfare measures including employment package, construction of township at Jagti and sanction of Rs seven lakh per family on return were taken by Congress Government both in the State and Centre. He said though Congress was in opposition in the Parliament but he will definitely raise this issue in the Lok Sabha.
The other members of delegation included M N Pandita, Shadi Lal Pandita, G Q Bhat, Bansi Lal and Maharaj Krishan Pandita.
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