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Package ready for Kashmir migrants

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it had prepared a Rs. 1,618-crore package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants, forced to move out of their land.

Solicitor-General G.E. Vahanvati told a Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and M.K. Sharma that the package covering housing, cash relief, scholarship for students, employment and waiver of interest on loans would be placed before the court. The Bench granted four weeks for filing the affidavit.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by the All India Kashmiri Samaj. The Samaj had sought comprehensive relief measures and a direction that the displaced Kashmiris be involved in all future meetings, negotiations and agreements.

Under the Central scheme, it was proposed to provide Rs. 650 crore for repair/reconstruction of fully or partially damaged houses, Rs. 120 crore for dilapidated and unused houses and Rs.150 crore for purchase and construction of houses in Group Housing Societies for those who resorted to distress sale.

For providing employment, Rs. 293.40 crore would be disbursed. It was decided to provide State government jobs to the educated among the migrant youth and financial assistance to the unemployed.

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