Sources said a rehabilitation plan is also being worked out for the Jammu hill migrants and it may also match with that of the Kashmiri pandits.
People who migrated from their villages and towns in Jammu region due to the onslaught of militants may get relief compensation and rehabilitation package on a par with that of the Kashmiri Pandit migrants.
Union home ministry is actively considering J&K government's proposal to this effect. Kashmiri pandits are getting Rs2500/month per person – with a maximum cap of Rs10,000 per family – plus ration, while the Jammu migrants are getting relief under four categories with a maximum cap of Rs4,000/month per family with ration.
Sources said a rehabilitation plan is also being worked out for the Jammu hill migrants and it may also match with that of the Kashmiri pandits.
Currently, Kashmiri migrants get an assistance of Rs7.5 lakh per family for repair/reconstruction of destroyed/damaged houses; assistance of Rs2 lakh per family on dilapidated/unused houses and assistance of Rs7.5 lakh per family for purchase/construction of a house in Group Housing Societies for those who have sold their properties post-1989 period.
"Giving similar package to the Jammu migrants – who did not suffer any less – won't not create extra burden on the government exchequer, as they constitute only 1,050-odd families. In comparison, more than 60,000 families of Kashmiri migrants qualify for the rehabilitation package," said a source.
"The plan is being worked out and is in the process of getting inputs from various ministries. Once completed it will be put before the cabinet for approval," said sources.
The move is being considered an important outreach effort by the PDP-BJP coalition government in increasing support base in Jammu's hill region, which traditionally stood with Congress and National Conference.
The government is aware that the disparity has bred a lot of bitterness among migrants from the hilly regions of Jammu such as Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, Samba, and Ramban, who had to flee their homes leaving behind immovable and movable property when militancy was at its peak during mid-90s and engulfed the entire state.
Unlike Kashmiri Pandits, the migrants of Jammu's hilly region from mixed stock of Hindus and Muslims and mainly belong to ST and OBC categories. People from the Gujjar stock, called Gaddis or Bakarwals, considered loyal to India were also targeted by the militants.
However, the Centre paid little heed to their grievances as they were less vocal, less articulate and less conscious politically, compared to Kashmiri Pandits who are considered to be a powerful lobby and also occupy high bureaucratic posts.
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