HVK Archives: Liberal package for migrants mooted
Liberal package for migrants mooted - The Indian Express
Press Trust of India
()
30 July 1997
Title: Liberal package for migrants mooted
Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: July 30, 1997
Largesse is aimed at wooing Hindu Kashmiris back to Valley
The three-member subcommittee constituted under the aegis of the Revenue
ministry to address the return of Kashmiri migrants has recommended the
Jammu and Kashmir government a Rs 2799.11 crore rehabilitation package
including the institution of a Protector General of Migrant Property (PGMP)
and setting of transit settlements
The sub-committee headed by Financial Commissioner (Planning), M L Koul
after holding discussions with the migrants in Delhi and Jammu suggested
that the State Government 'must initiate the process of social dialogue
through Government and non-government agencies between migrants and the
majority community of the Valley.'
The rehabilitation plan was presented to the Prime Minister, I K Gujral,
during his two-day visit to the valley recently.
The sub-committee recommends a combined measure of steps for social
dialogue among various communities of the state and an economic reparation
package for about 50,000 migrant families. The interim report recommended
that each Kashmiri Migrant family willing to return to the valley be given
a grant of Rs one lakh for setting up a transit settlement at Srinagar,
Baramulla and Anantnag and a rehabilitation grant of Rs 150 lakh to each
family. It also suggested reconstruction grant for damaged houses m rural
and urban places at the rate of Rs two lakh and Rs four lakh respectively.
Referring to apprehensions expressed by the migrant community, the
subcommittee said "there was a widespread sense of insecurity" when
migrants left the valley in 1990. The report said "it was felt that
security depends more on the goodwill of the majority community than on the
government machinery both of which were wanting when the 'exodus' of 1990
took place.
Rural families whose houses,, have been damaged should get Rs, one lakh
while 2.50 lakh is proposed for urban areas, the interim report said.
The migrant families should get a grant of Rs 50,000 each for household
goods and furniture.
The sub-committee also recommended that interest-free loan of Rs one-two
lakh be given to estimated 6,000 families engaged in business activities -
50 per cent of the loan be in form of grant. Banks should reschedule the
repayment of outstanding loans, it said.
Compensation upto Rs 1.50 lakh be given to agriculturists/orchard owners
for the loss of income during the period; the number of such families
estimated to be 25,000, also, interest-free loans of Rs 1.50 lakh should be
given for agricultural endeavours.
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