Kashmiri pandits demand compensation, jobs

New Delhi, Jan 15: An organisation of Kashmiri pandits on Friday said the central government should provide compensation to traders and one-time relief package to persons displaced from the Kashmir Valley.

A delegation of Sampoorn Kashmir Sangathan (SKS) met union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh here and sought his intervention for the redressal of their demands, including on jobs for overage youth from the community, and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri pandits.

The delegation submitted a memorandum demanding compensation for traders and displaced Kashmiri pandits in proportion to their immovable properties they left behind in the Valley.

The minister assured the delegation that the Narendra Modi government was committed to ensuring a dignified return of the displaced community to the Valley, an official statement said.

He also assured them that their memorandum will be forwarded to the home ministry.

The delegation also sought soft loans for all categories of Kashmiri pandits for self-employment anywhere in India.

The memorandum emphasised upon employment opportunities for the Kashmiri pandit youth living outside the Valley.

It demanded that the youth over the age limit for government jobs should be given one-time exemption.

IANS