(a) whether the Government has announced a financial package for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri migrants;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the activities undertaken under the said rehabilitation package and the number of families benefited therefrom?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3072 REGARDING “DISPLACED
KASHMIRIS†FOR REPLY ON 08-12-2009
(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. A package of Rs. 1618.40 crores for return and
rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley has been announced on 25-04-2008.
The package provides for provision of assistance for housing, repair/renovation
and damaged houses, transit accommodation, continuance of cash and ration relief,
students’ scholarship, employment opportunities and financial assistance for self
employment, financial assistance to agriculturists and horticulturists and waiver
of interest on loans. For facilitating the return of migrants who are willing
to return to the Valley, the Central Government has approved the construction of
200 flats at Sheikhpora in Budgam District. The shrine in Mattan and Kheer
Bhavani has been developed into two model clusters containing temporary shelters
for Kashmiri migrants where they could be settled temporarily till such time they
can repair their existing residential houses. The State Government has constructed
18 flats at Mattan and 100 one roomed tenements at Kheer Bhavani. An initial
amount of Rs. 8.35 crores has been released by the Central Government to the State
Government for implementation of the package. So far, 4159 applications have been
received by the State Government from Kashmiri migrants evincing interest to
return to the Valley. State Government has identified land at three places for
construction of additional transit accommodation. The proposal for construction
of transit accommodation has been finalised and tenders have been floated.
State Government has created 3000 posts for Kashmiri migrants youths. The
process for filling up of these posts has been initiated.