Clarify stand on PoK refugees' settlement package: Congress to BJP

Akhnoor (Jammu), Nov 20: Asking BJP to clarify its stand on the issue of one time settlement package for PoK refugees and Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Congress today said Centre does not want to help these distressed people and trying to sabotage their emotions.

On the campaign trial in his Akhnoor constituency, senior Congress leader and Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today asked BJP to clarify its stand on Article 370 and PoK refugees' settlement package.

"BJP Government in the Centre does not want to help these distressed people and trying to sabotage their emotions by denying approval to one time settlement package sent by Jammu and Kashmir government," Sharma said.

Addressing an election rally at Garkhal border belt close to International Border (IB), the minister said BJP should clarify its stand on Article 370 and PoK refugees settlement package.

Sharma said "BJP shall not be allowed to destabilise the constitutional dimensions in the political sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir which has claimed and constitutional aspect of Article 370".

"It indicates the ill intention and non-serious approach of the BJP government at the Centre. This will have a serious repercussion as lakhs of displaced persons, who are fighting for their just cause, will teach a lesson to the BJP, if they do not get their dues," said the Minister.

Saying the issue of PoK displaced persons remained hanging in the air for over six decades, Sharma maintained that Congress, which had the agenda for resolving this long pending issue maintained tremendous pressure on its coalition partner, NC and was able to get the issue of rehabilitation package approved by the state cabinet and referring the same to the Central government for sanction.

PTI