The central told parliament yesterday that Kashmiri pandits are taking up jobs and moving back to Kashmir as they feel secure. Minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the government is preparing a “comprehensive policy” to provide them accommodation in the Valley.
“… 44,167 Kashmiri migrant families are registered (by relief office) who had to move from the (Kashmir) Valley since 1990 due to security concerns,” said Rai. He added that out of all these, the number of Hindu migrant families is 39,782. “Kashmiri Pandits have felt more secure in the recent past as is evident from the fact that 3,841 Kashmiri migrant youth have moved back to Kashmir and have taken up jobs in various districts of Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package.” He added the government selected 1,997 more people under the package in April and they will be moving to Kashmir for jobs soon. “…26,684 Kashmiri migrant youth showed interest in going back to the valley by applying for…1,997 posts.”
Rai further informed the media 6,000 residential units are being constructed for Kashmir Pandit employees and 1,000 residential units have been already allotted to these employees. The government has permitted the inclusion of Kashmiri Pandits, who stayed back in the Valley in the 1990s, in the package. “…they are getting all benefits of government schemes along with others in Kashmir.” The minister further told us that around 900 families, including Kashmiri Pandits and Dogra Hindus, are staying in Kashmir. All necessary steps to protect the life and property of the minorities in the Valley have been taken.
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