Jammu: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated that out of 6000 posts under the PM Special Package for Kashmiri Migrants and Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits, 5868 appointment orders have been issued so far.
Responding to a query by M Y Tarigami in the Legislative Assembly, he mentioned that 5724 appointments were made by 2023-24, while 144 have been issued this fiscal year. The remaining 132 posts are at different stages of processing, with 42 stalled due to court cases.
He highlighted the ₹1618.40 crore package announced in 2009 for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, covering housing, transit accommodation, cash relief, scholarships, employment, and other assistance. As part of this, 6000 transit accommodations were sanctioned in December 2015, with 3120 completed and 2040 under construction, while work on the remaining 840 is expected to start soon.
Choudhary also stated that the government has proposed increasing the relief amount for newborn Kashmiri migrant children from ₹400 to ₹3250 per month, without exceeding the ₹13,000 per family cap.
Regarding ex-gratia compensation for property damage due to blasts or fires, he clarified that compensation is based on assessments by the R&B Department and Tehsildars, with no additional settlement beyond the ₹1 lakh already granted at the time of sanction.
On job reallocation, he explained that 3000 supernumerary posts were created after a cabinet decision, adding to the 3000 approved in 2009. A 2020 review found 1997 posts unfilled, which were withdrawn and reallocated to the Finance, Agriculture, Food & Civil Supplies, and Revenue departments. These included roles such as Junior Assistants, Legal Stenographers, Junior Engineers, and Draftsmen.
He also stated that no Shrine and Temple Management Committee has been formed, but authorities maintain security and take action against any violations related to religious properties.
