PoK refugees meet Rahul, seek his help over Rs 25 lakh package

Jammu, Aug 27: Accusing the Modi government of "scuttling" their 'one-time settlement' funds, PoK refugees met with Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, urging him to put pressure on the Centre to release the Rs 25 lakhs per PoK family grant.

A delegation of refugees and displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971 from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) areas met Gandhi during his visit here last night and discussed the issue of 'one time settlement' of Pok refugees, a release said here.

The delegation apprised about the latest status of the package worked out by the previous Congress-NC government on the intervention of the UPA leadership in 2012.

The state government in consultation with representatives of PoK refugees had worked out a package of Rs 25 lakhs to each family as one time settlement, besides recommending reservations and concessions to the wards of these displaced people.

The refugees complained that the present BJP led Centre returned the package on lame excuse, just to "scuttle" the same, the release said.

The delegation urged the Congress leadership to pressurize the Centre to release the package without any delay, as the people are getting restless.

They apprised the Congress leader that any further delay in the matter would force them to come on the streets to get the package implemented.

PTI