NEW DELHI: With BJP sniffing a chance to be a part of the next Jammu and Kashmir government even as political consultations are still on, the Centre is quietly preparing the ground for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.
In its vision document that was released before the Assembly election, the BJP had promised to initiate a process for the just and honorable resettlement of the Kashmiri Pandits and underlines the “TIME” model for development of Jammu and Kashmir – TIME being an acronym for tourism, infrastructure, modernisation and empowerment.
“The top BJP leadership in the state knows that Kashmiri Pandits will vote for it only if the party promises their resettlement, development and reservations for them in the state assembly,” First Post a news portal reported.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the Centre has earmarked Rs 500 crore for the purpose and would offer the first batch of 6,000 migrants with Class III and IV government jobs. The salary cap has been put between Rs 15,000-30,000.
“A 20-acre land near Srinagar has been identified by the Union Home Ministry for building 1,000 flats to those who take up the government jobs. Besides, Rs 10 lakh each would be given to families who want to reconstruct their damaged houses. On behalf of the Centre, the J&K government would be conducting a limited competitive examination for Kashmiri migrants.”The Indian Express report said.
The Centre has realised that the Kashmiri Pandits are an angry lot after facing apathy from successive state and Central governments. The anger has grown so much that many chose not to vote this time around.
According to a Times of India report, only 5,169 or 16 percent of the total 31,000 members of the community chose to exercise their franchise in this election.
On Sunday, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said that Pandits are a pained lot and they deserve to return to their native place.
“As long as you do not go back to your homeland, that pain in your heart must remain,” Sharma said, the DNA reported.
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