Union Budget gives Rs 500-crore package for Kashmiri migrants

A Rs 500-crore package was today announced in the union budget for displaced Kashmiri migrants, living in various parts of the country, for rebuilding their lives and funds were earmarked for the creation of a Pashmina board and building international stadia in Jammu and Kashmir.
The funds sanctioned under the "Relief and Rehabilitation of Jammu and Kashmir Migrants" show a three-fold increase from Rs 151.87 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 660 crore with a special mention that out of this fund, Rs 500 crore have been earmarked for Kashmiri migrants.
In his maiden budget speech today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Rs 500 crore will be earmarked for providing support to Kashmiri migrants in "rebuilding their lives".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the allocation of Rs 500 crores for displaced Kashmiri migrants will help expedite the process of relief and rehabilitation in the state.
The remaining Rs 160 crore is meant for granting relief to border migrants, reimbursement to the state government for ex-gratia relief to next of kin of civilians, Special Police Officers, Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel killed in terrorist attacks and cross-border firing.
This fund is also utilised for relief and rehabilitation of militancy-related widows and orphans in the state and other relief measures and surrender policy.

The Rs 500-crore package came against the demand raised by the state government for sanctioning Rs 5,820 crore for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.

A proposal sent by the Omar Abdullah-led government to the Centre in 2011 had demanded that Rs 20 lakh be provided to fully or partially damaged houses for which the number of beneficiaries were expected to be 15,000.
It had also sought construction of transit accommodation, employment to 3,000 youths and their salaries, self employment for migrants, acquisition of land and assistance in horticulture.