Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: MJR-47, Movement of Justice for Refugees of PoJK 1947, has sought clarity from the Govt on Rs 5.5 lakh package for the displaced persons of 1947.
A spokesman of the organization said that though the process of preparing papers for the package has started, but still the progress is far from satisfaction as hopeless DP’s have numerous unsurmountable difficulties. This is in view of the fact that the package sanctioned is highly belated. Seventy years have since passed and most of the families have grown three to four folds. Each of the family members is keen to have their share being beneficiary in interest to original claimant.
In most of the cases, the families have one document or the other to prove its legitimacy to the package sanctioned. In many cases the beneficiaries hardly show any interest for having the amount of package as their share comes too little to have it or even apply for it.
This is due to reason that amount approved is so meagre as compared to Rs 25 lakh and Rs. 30 lakhs/ family recommended by State Govt and Joint Parliamentary Committee respectively. Day in & day out politicians give statements that the amount Rs 2000 crore is the first installment but there is no official communication in this behalf. This has completely disillusioned the DP’s. Even there is no mention of other important components as recommend by package.
The spokesman said that DPs’ of PoJK 1947 were given only package of ex-gratia grant of Rs 3500/family in 1960. But State Govt did not spare time to deduct the cost of land allotted to DP’s at market rate and cost of quarter /residential plot at very exorbitant rates. Even Govt deducted the loan of Rs 500 or so advanced for sustenance with interest. He said the GOI should make it clear that amount sanctioned now is an installment or one time package.