*Efforts to be intensified for relief, accommodation
Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has reiterated its commitment to the dignified rehabilitation of refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), particularly those from the Chhamb and Deva Batala sectors.
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The Government has outlined plans to provide suitable housing for these displaced families at designated locations.
This assurance was given by the Minister for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Department, during the Legislative Assembly session today, in response to a question raised by BJP legislator Rajiv Jasrotia regarding initiatives taken for refugees from PoJK and the Chhamb and Deva Batala sectors.
The Minister informed the House that a total of 31,619 displaced families from PoJK registered after the 1947 Indo-Pak war. Additionally, 10,065 families from the Chhamb Niabat area, displaced during the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, were also relocated to safer areas within Jammu. Over the years, both the Government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Government have provided several relief and rehabilitation packages to these displaced families.
Out of the total 31,619 displaced families from PoJK, 26,319 families settled in districts including Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu province. Families displaced in 1947 were allotted agricultural land (ranging from 4-8 acres per family) or in urban areas, they were provided with plots or quarters, alongside a cash ex-gratia of Rs 3500 per family. Those who did not receive land were provided cash compensation by the Government of India. In total, over 10 lakh kanals of land was allotted to displaced families over the years.
For the displaced families of 1965 and 1971, agricultural land was allotted at rates of 4 acres for irrigated land and 6 acres for non-irrigated land. They also received cash compensation, with Rs 3,000 per family for 1965 and Rs 7,500 for 1971. Families who did not settle in Government camps were later compensated with Rs 25,000 per family.
Meanwhile, under the Prime Minister’s Development Package of 2015, the Government of India approved a one-time settlement rehabilitation package for displaced families from 1947, 1965 and 1971. This package offered financial assistance of Rs 5.5 lakh per family, a scheme also adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir Government. As of now, 29,296 families have applied for this financial assistance out of a target of 36,384 families, the Government said.
Further extending its support, the Government of India in September 2019 approved the inclusion of displaced families from PoJK, totaling 5,300 families, who had initially moved out of Jammu and Kashmir but later returned and resettled. These families are now also eligible for the financial assistance of Rs 5.5 lakh per family.
The Minister confirmed that the Jammu and Kashmir Government, in 2024, established conditions under which displaced persons from PoJK and West Pakistan could be granted proprietary rights over the evacuee property land allotted to them. These rules apply to displaced families from the 1947, 1965 and 1971 periods, many of whom have lived on such land for generations.
The Minister concluded by assuring that the rehabilitation packages would apply to all registered displaced families from PoJK, Chhamb and Deva Batala sectors, irrespective of their religion. All disbursements will be made to eligible beneficiaries, as authenticated by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
This announcement marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing concerns of refugees from PoJK and other conflict zones, ensuring their rightful rehabilitation and recognition within Jammu and Kashmir.
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