Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 8: Former minister and senior National Conference leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today lashed out at the so-called double engine government for creating hype over one and every issue but showing backs when it comes to implementation, especially in places like sensitive Jammu and Kashmir.
Reacting to commitments made by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for welfare of the Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) refugees during an event here the other day, Sadhotra said they have got just the peanuts of what the National Conference led government under Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister had recommended to the Centre as one-time settlement package.
He recalled the cabinet decision of October 2014 in which the NC government had recommended a package involving Rs 9025 crore for the refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971 from the PoJK. As per the package Rs 25 lakh each had been envisaged as a one-time settlement while provision had also been made for such families living outside Jammu and Kashmir, he claimed.
Sadhotra said this was the time when the BJP top brass from across the country was promising Rs 40 lakhs to each family during the campaign for the Legislative Assembly elections. Now that the double engine government is in place at the Centre since 2014, where have those promises vanished, he asked, saying instead of approving the NC government’s package, the BJP led NDA earmarked little over Rs 2000 crore for the purpose.
“By acknowledging that one time Central assistance has been provided to only 33,600 PoJK refugee families, the administration has admitted its failure in providing respite to them”, Sadhotra said and urged the Government to take cognizance of the recommendations made by the NC led government and sanction Rs 25 lakhs each to the refugee family.
Sadhotra also pleaded for bringing over 5,300 DP families from the PoJK settled outside Jammu and Kashmir, saying this will be the least the government can do for these hapless people. He said the people are now seeing through the nefarious divisive and exploitative politics of the BJP and the day is not far when they will punish all those working against the legitimate interests of the common man through their power of ballot.
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