HC disposes of plea to probe cases of fake Kashmiri migrants

Chandigarh, Sep 12 (UNI) A public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to inquire into the alleged instances of persons fraudulently getting aid and other benefits by posing as Kashmiri migrants figured in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today.

The PIL has been filed by Amritsar-based Kashmiri Palayankarta Society, an organisation of persons uprooted from the valley as a result of the continued militancy there, through its president J L Mehta.

The petition allesed that such persons claimed the concessions and monthly rations on forged documents in Amritsar. These people were misusing the provisions of Punjab government policy to help the migrant families in terms of the state policy of May 8, 1990 amended subsequently.

At least 55 such people had been found to be availing ration money in an inquiry conducted by the sub divisional magistrate, Amritsar, which was followed by another inquiry of the same kind with specific details, the patition said.

In most cases, documents submitted along with prayer for assistance were also false and fabricated.

However, after the preliminary findings, the authorities had dropped the ration money facility available to some of the persons, but a comprehensive probe was called for, the petitioner further submitted.

A division bench of the acting Chief Justice Harjit Singh Bedi and Justice Ranjit Singh disposed of the PIL with the directions to the petitioner to approach the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar for remedial measures required.

UNI XC DP YA RAI2035