New package for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in offing

New Delhi, Jun 8: A comprehensive plan is being worked out for the return of

to the Valley and their rehabilitation with the

government according top priority to the issue.

Enhanced financial assistance, security to life and property, government jobs and other employment opportunities and subsidies ration will be part of the package that could be announced as incentive for the return of Pandits, government officials said.

"The discussions are at a very preliminary stage. The new Home Minister Rajnath Singh has been given a detailed presentation on the status of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits," an official said.

BJP election manifesto also mentioned that it was committed to ensure return of Kashmiri Pandits with full dignity. The number of displaced people post 1990 migration from the valley following militant activities has increased by six-seven lakhs.

According to plans, the new package will be more attractive than the one announced by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in April 2008 for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.

That package included assistance of Rs 7.5 lakh per family for reconstruction for fully or partially damaged houses, assistance of Rs 2 lakh per family for dilapidated houses, assistance of Rs 7.5 lakh per family for purchase of a house in Group Housing Societies for those who have sold their properties during the period of turmoil in 1989.

Like the previous one, returnee migrant families will be provided transit accommodation during the interim period when they undertake the reconstruction or repair of their houses.

Those returnee families, who may not be provided transit accommodation, would be given rental and incidental expenses. All of them will be provided security if they feel insecure anywhere, officials said.

PTI