JK CM calls for inclusion of non-migrant KPs under govt

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called for inclusion of non migrant Kashmiri Pandits under the welfare schemes of the government.
She also directed provisions of basic facilities of healthcare and education at the transit accommodation centres in the state, where members of the community are presently putting up.
Chairing a high level meeting of Rehabilitation, Relief and Disaster Management departments here, the Chief Minister said the members of the Pandit community who did not leave their homes in the valley also need attention as many of them are living in very poor conditions.
She said members of all migrant communities like Muslims, Sikhs etc should be given space in any transit accommodation facilities being built there, thus respecting the pluralistic ethos of the place.

Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and Disaster Management, Syed Basharat Bukhari and Minister of State for Revenue, Ajay Nanda were also present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister enquired about the supply of ration to Pandit families, particularly at Jagti and stressed on making the distribution process simple and hassle free. She also suggested opening of Fair Price shops in the migrant camps and Pandit habitations to ease out the problems of the inhabitants.

The meeting was informed that a 40 bedded hospital has been readied at Jagti township.
Other measures being taken by the state government for the welfare of the migrant community like health insurance cover, providing cash assistance through bank accounts to put check on pilferage, restoration of Registered Backward Area (RBA) status in case of persons who come from such areas and shuffling of overstaying staff at camps to provide a much more transparent relief system to the beneficiaries were also discussed.

The meeting was also informed that the documentation process for relief distribution among the beneficiaries of PoK Displaced Persons has been simplified.
It may be mentioned that the PDP-BJP state government has started disbursement of relief package to Displaced Persons from PoK and so far 96 such families have been paid the cash relief worth Rs 5.50 lakh per family.
Several deputations during last few months had met the Chief Minister and requested that the documentation process for identifying the beneficiaries be simplified and camps be held at their locations and tehsils for their convenience.