Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced that new registrations for Kashmiri migrants will not be processed under the Kashmir Migrant Relief Assistance Scheme for the time being. He stated that the government has taken this decision due to the improved law and order situation in the Valley.
The Chief Minister made this statement in response to a question from MLA Mubarak Gul in the Assembly. He explained that a meeting on this issue was held on July 12, 2023, under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, in which it was determined that new registrations are not necessary under the current circumstances.
Omar Abdullah stated that the central government’s Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Scheme aims to ensure the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri migrants. Under this scheme, they are being provided with housing, jobs, education, and financial assistance.
He informed that a provision of ₹1,618 crore was made for this scheme in 2009. Under the scheme, 6,000 government positions were approved, of which 5,896 youth have been employed so far, while the recruitment process for the remaining positions is underway.
Referring to housing, the Chief Minister stated that 6,000 transit houses were approved for displaced workers in various districts of the Valley. Of these, 4,096 houses have been completed, while the remaining are under construction and are expected to be completed by the next financial year.
The Chief Minister clarified that there is currently no proposal to build new transit camps in the Valley. He also stated that a proposal to increase the existing relief amount, in light of inflation, has been sent to the Home Ministry, and the final decision will be taken there.
