808 Kashmiri Pandit families living in valley: Jammu & Kashmir

A total of 808 Kashmiri Pandit (KPs) families are living in the valley and 34,202 had migrated to other parts of the state since the eruption of militancy in 1989, the government said today.
     
"As many as 808 KP families, comprising 3,445 people are still living in the valley," minister for revenue, relief and rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla, said here.
      
But, 39,119 families, including 34,202 of KPs, 2,168 Muslim and 1,749 Sikh families had left the valley.
     
He said the Koul Committee headed by the then financial commissioner of Planning and Development Department ML Koul was constituted for preparation of an action plan for their return and rehabilitation.
     
Though the committee submitted an interim report in 1997-98 recommending a package of Rs2799.11 crore for their return and rehabilitation, action could not be taken as the situation was not conductive.
     
With the improvement of situation in the valley, the government decided to construct 200 flats at an estimated cost of Rs22.90 crore at Sheikhpora in Budgam district in 2004, he said.