Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: JKPCC chief spokesperson and former MLC Ravinder Sharma has strongly criticised the Centre and UT Government for closing the relief package for PoJK, Chhamb DPs and West Pakistan refugees, which is clear betrayal and backtracking of the promises with them by the Modi Government and BJP.
Reacting sharply to the recent publication of the government closing the relief package from February 10 onwards, senior Congress leader termed it great betrayal with the suffering communities who were exploited by the ruling party by making hollow promises especially full implementation of the 2014 relief package recommended by then state coalition Government on the initiative of Congress party and Dr Manmohan Singh Government.
Talking to reporters, JKPCC chief spokesperson questioned the closing of the ongoing package when all eligible families could not be even covered with the installment of Rs 5.5 lakhs per family, which was described as first installment but with the closing of the package, it is clear that there is nothing more for them, which is clear betrayal with them.
He said after long struggle of refugees of PoJK, Chhamb, and West Pakistan and hot perusal by the Congress, a package was worked out on the direction of Dr Manmohan Singh Government in 2014 and recommended to the Centre by State Government. It comprised of Rs 25 lakh per family as financial package besides jobs, reservation package and coverage of all left out DP families under land allotment and land deficiency categories.
The said package was not only endorsed by the all party joint parliamentary committee but also enhanced the relief amount to Rs 30 lakh per family, however the Modi Govt and BJP failed to sanction the package. Only a meagre amount of Rs 5.5 lakhs was sanctioned but that too has not been disbursed to all eligible families.