Kashmiri Migrant Relief Assistance: No justification for fresh registration after improved situation: CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu, Feb 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday maintained that there was no justification for fresh registration of migrants for relief assistance, in view of the “overall improvement in the law and order situation and the prevailing circumstances in the Kashmir valley.”
He also pointed out that there was no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley.
In a written reply to the National Conference MLA Mubarik Gul in the Legislative Assembly about the steps taken for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the Chief Minister informed that the fresh cases for registration under the migrant relief assistance were presently not being entertained.
The issue was examined in a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, J&K, on July 12, 2023.
“After due deliberations, it was observed that, in view of the overall improvement in the law and order situation and the prevailing circumstances in the Kashmir valley, there is no justification for fresh registration of migrants at this stage. It was also observed that any security-related concerns in the Valley can be addressed locally by the concerned district administration and security agencies.
Accordingly, fresh registration of migrants for relief assistance is not being undertaken at present,” the Chief Minister replied.
With regard to the part of the query pertaining to the establishment of additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir Valley, he stated that at present, there was no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley.
“Under the PMDP-2015, a total of 6,000 transit accommodation units are being constructed at 20 different locations across the Kashmir valley to cater to the residential requirements of Kashmiri migrant government employees,” he said.
CM Omar maintained that the transit accommodations were being developed as planned residential complexes with essential civic amenities and security arrangements, rather than as temporary camps.
“The objective is to ensure dignified, safe, and sustainable residential facilities for the employees appointed under the Prime Minister's package,” he said.
Whether the government intends to enhance the existing assistance in view of current inflation and rising cost of living, in response to this question, the Chief Minister pointed out that the proposal regarding enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance keeping in view prevailing inflationary trends and the increased cost of living was examined at the UT level.
“The matter involves financial and policy considerations and has accordingly been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, which is the competent authority to take a final decision in the matter,” he said.
In the reply, he also spelt out a detailed account of steps taken to ensure dignified, secure and sustainable return of Kashmiri migrants to the valley.
The Prime Minister, in the year 2009, announced a comprehensive Package for Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants to the Kashmir valley with a total financial outlay of 1,618.40 crore.
The package was approved vide Cabinet Decision No. 130/11/2009 dated 01.10.2009 and notified vide Government Order No. Rev/MR/141 of 2009 dated 26.10.2009.
The Chief Minister also gave a detailed account of the components of the scheme envisaging a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education, and financial security of the migrant community.
