The J&K government has decided to relocate migrant Kashmiri pandits, living in dilapidated shanties, in a new colony in Jammu.
Around 5,200 two-room flats will be built in Jammu
SRINAGAR: Unable to persuade the migrant Kashmiri pandits from returning to their homes in the valley, the J&K government has decided to relocate the exiled community members, living in dilapidated shanties, in a new colony at Nagrota in Jammu.
Under the new relocation plan, the J&K government will be constructing around 4,000 two-room flats in the first phase. According to chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, around 671 kanals of land has been identified at Nagrota for the purpose.
A total of 5,242 two-room flats will be constructed under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme and Rs 189 crore has been earmarked for it.
However, the new settlement plan has divided the Kashmiri migrant pandit community in Jammu. “For the last 17 years, the government has only made tall promises. There was a plan to upgrade facilities at Muthi and Purkhoo tenements. But it did not yield any result. We are in need of employment more than anything else,” said T K Dhar, president of the United Displaced People’s Coordination Committee.
Others, however, have pledged their support to the government in the project. “We will be happy if the government upgrades facilities of the people living in dilapidated conditions. But it should not be a diverting tactics. As far as our demand of a separate homeland is concerned, we believe it is the only way out to help the pandit community in exile,” said Ajay Chrangu, chairman of Panun Kashmir.
Around 56,148 families have migrated from Kashmir since the onset of militancy in 1990. 34,690 families of the total number are living in Jammu, 19338 in Delhi and 2120 families are living in other parts of the country.
J&K Chief secretary C Phunsung, said the government was trying to provide better facilities to the pandits living in bad condition. “We want to build two-room flats and provide better facilities like water supply, roads and other amenities to the pandits,” he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}