Centre mulls Rs 2,000 crore package for displaced families from PoK
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issues of human rights abuse in PoK and Balochistan twice this month, the government is preparing a Rs 2,000 crore package for the displaced families from PoK.
In Short
- Centre may announce Rs 2,000 crore package for displaced families from PoK.
- Jammu and Kashmir government has identified 36,348 beneficiary families.
- Each family is expected to get an aid of about Rs 5.5 lakh.
Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about the human rights issues of people living in PoK, some reports suggest that the government is now mulling over a relief package for those displaced from those areas. According a Times of India report, the Centre has proposed a Rs 2,000 crore package for refugees from PoK.
The report said that the home ministry was preparing the fine prints of the package. The union cabinet is likely to give its nod to the proposal soon.
EACH FAMILY TO GET Rs 5.5 LAKH
The Jammu and Kashmir government has prepared a list of the beneficiary families, which will get approximately Rs 5.5 lakh each. These people crossed the LoC over a period of time, beginning from the time of partition in 1947.
Large number of the displaced families from the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan settled in and around Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts. The state government is understood to have identified 36,348 beneficiary families.
STATUS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE
These families don't have the status of permanent residents. They have voting rights, which is limited to the Lok Sabha elections only. They didn't cast their votes in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
Last year, the Centre granted these families certain concessions aimed at providing educational and job opportunities. They are entitled to special recruitment drives for induction into paramilitary forces, equal employment opportunities in the state and admission for children of displaced families in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
PM MODI'S FOCUS ON PoK
Amidst increasing clashes in the Kashmir Valley, PM Modi raised the issue of PoK at an all-party meet, called to discuss situation in Kashmir. He again referred to PoK during his Independence Day speech.
PM's repeated references to PoK signaled a revamped strategy of the government towards Kashmir issue and Pakistan. There have also been reports saying that the government may invite people from PoK living abroad during the next year's Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held in Bengaluru.
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