M A I N   N E W S

Rs 16 crore relief package
Wooing Kashmiri migrants to return home
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 28
In an attempt to persuade Kashmiri migrants to return to their deserted homes in the valley, the Centre has announced a rehabilitation package, including financial assistance of about Rs 7 lakh to each family, to enable them to build up their lives again, Minister of State for Home I.D. Swami said today.

The package, announced a few days ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, includes a rehabilitation grant of Rs 1.50 lakh per family, Rs 1 lakh for the repair of intact house, Rs 3 lakh for the reconstruction of damaged or gutted houses, Rs 1 lakh grant for household goods and furniture and interest free loan of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per individual for setting up a trade or business, Mr Swami told newspersons here.

In addition, the repayment of outstanding loans by banks would be rescheduled and interest or penal interest through banks waived.

It would also include compensation for the loss of income from agriculture up to Rs 1.50 lakh per family, interest free loan of Rs 1.50 lakh per family for investment in agricultural operations and Rs 2000 per month sustenance for the period the investment in agriculture provides returns.

According to the package, the migrants would also get a sustenance allowance of Rs 3000 per month till they are able to get employment in the private sector or set up self employment ventures and a one-time stipend of Rs 1000 per student for purchase of books, uniforms and stationery. Admission to migrant students in general education sector would be given on a priority basis.

The Centre would also waive interest on house-building loans/advances for the period 1989-1997 (the period of peak militancy), renew licenses required in trade such as in pharmaceuticals and provide exemption on all tax and non-tax arrears like those on electricity, water supply and telephone rentals, he said.

Mr Swami said the announcement of the package has been made to persuade Kashmiri migrants to return to their homes. However, he pointed out that the decision to return would ultimately lie with the Kashmiri migrants.

“Our effort is that those migrants living in camps in Jammu, Delhi or elsewhere return to their homes and start life afresh...,” he said.

About 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits migrated to Jammu, Delhi and other parts of the country after fleeing from the valley in 1989-90. According to official figures, there are 56,246 migrant families of which 34,305 are living in Jammu, 19,338 in Delhi and 2,603 in other states.

Of these, 238 families are living in 14 camps in Delhi and 4,778 families in 12 camps at Jammu. Others are living on their own.

Asked whether the government had made any assessment of how many migrants would return, Mr Swami said that at this stage it was difficult to say. “From our side the package is ready.”

He also denied that the package had been announced keeping in view the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections beginning next month. “Our intention is to send the migrants back,” he added.