JK govt directs verification of migrants status for quarters

Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered constitution of up to eight official teams to verify applications of displaced Kashmiri Pandits for allotment of quarters in Jagti Migrant township in outskirts of Jammu city.
The government's Relief and Revenue Ministry has issued order and directed Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner to follow a seven-point procedure to ensure that accommodation is provided to genuine and needy migrants.
"Constitute six to eight teams for verification of applications. All the team members should not be below the rank of the Zonal Officer/Camp Commandant and the teams can be asked to carry out verifications area wise," Under Secretary to Government, Revenue Department stated in the order.

"The teams shall be asked to complete the process of verifications within six weeks," he said.
The officer also said during the verification, the team members should verify that the families have been living continuously in the rented accommodation since migration and in this regard seek documentary evidence like copy of the pass books, gas connection, ration card among other proofs.
The department had earlier informed the government that it had received 8,000 applications from migrant families as against 635 flats available for allotment.

The department had said after processing these applications it had notified a list of 549 families who qualified for allotment.

However, some of the migrants who did not figure in the provisional list approached the High Court, which in turn has directed to maintain the status quo.
The government has also directed the department to prepare a category-wise list of applications received by it and display it in the office of camp commandant/zonal officer or on department website.
"After completion of the verification process, the lists of applicants who would qualify for allotment and who does not qualify shall be notified separately. The reason for disallowing any particular applicant should be indicated in the list," the Under Secretary said.
"After completing the process, if the number of qualified applicants is more, in that case the allotment should be made through draw of lots in presence of migrants after giving wide publicity," he said.

He also asked the department to keep the Advocate General informed about the process being adopted for the allotment.
"Till the process of verification of notifying the list is not completed, no allotment shall be made," he said.