Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 30: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today said that the Government was keen for settlement of PoK refugees issues.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering of displaced persons (DPs) after distributing ownership right orders of 436 kanal land to 686 families of the Bhour Camp and Chatha villages, here today.
District Development Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma, PRO (Custodian Department) Abdul Majid Wani, Assistant Commissioner Revenue G J Singh, besides other senior officers of Revenue and Evacuee Property were present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla said that 436 kanal land has been regularised under Common Land Act 1956, adding Government was committed to develop all the colonies of refugees on modern lines with all infrastructural facilities. He said displaced persons are the eyes, ears and arms of the Government, adding that all out efforts have been initiated to resolve the issues of the displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971.
The Minister said that following the endeavours of the present Government, the Centre has released Rs 49 crore package for distribution of land deficiency compensation among them, adding that each family has been provided Rs. 1.50 lakh after their proper verification by Revenue officers and record.
Mr. Bhalla said that Revenue Department has regularised several colonies of PoK displaced persons of Jammu region under Common Land Act 1956. He said instructions have been issued to revenue authorities to prepare the record for regularisation of left out colonies in the State as ‘Abadideh’ so that the beneficiaries could also enjoy the ownership rights of the land under their possession.
The Minister said the Government has established a special cell in the offices of Divisional Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners to assess the problems of the displaced persons for redressal of their pending issues under Revenue Department Act.
The Minister said a delegation of Congress Ministers headed by PCC Chief Prof Saif-ud-Soz met the Prime Minister, UPA chairperson and Home Minister and briefed them about the decades old demands and struggle of refugees.
Mr. Bhalla said it was also pointed out that refugees and their children from West Pakistan can not apply for Government jobs and purchase property in the State. They should be provided reservation in the Central Government jobs and other relaxations should also be given to them, he added.
Mr. Bhalla said that the delegation also stressed upon the union leaders that resolution of refugees issue was one of the points mentioned in the Congress manifesto during last elections and the party was committed for the same.
The Minister said that the central leaders’ response was very positive and they have assured that the decades old demands of the refugees would be redressed.
Earlier, the Minister also visited Ashok Nagar, Gandhi Nagar near Laxmi Narayan Temple and Khajuria Mohalla in Sunjwan and kick started various development works in their localities.
For improving the power scenario in Khajuria Mohalla in Sunjwan and Gandhi Nagar near Laxmi Narayan temple, Mr. Bhalla announced Rs. 20 lakh out of his CDF for installation of 250 KVA transformers and other allied works including poles in left out areas.
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