Jammu and Kashmir government is mulling promulgation of an ordinance for protection and management of temples in Kashmir Valley.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the Revenue Department to prepare a note for Cabinet for promulgation of ordinance for protection and management of temples in the Valley.
“You should come up with a note on the subject as early as possible for the clearance of the Cabinet so that the same would be presented to the Governor for promulgation of the Ordinance accordingly,” he told the department while chairing the meeting of apex advisory committee for Kashmiri migrants here.
He said the Bill in this regard would be tabled in the next session of legislature in Srinagar subsequently.
Kashmiri Pandits have resorted to demonstrations and huger strikes during past over 6 months against the alleged illegal sale of temple properties and encroachments in Kashmir Valley and in support of setting up of temple and shrine properties trust in Jammu and Kashmir.
All Party Migrant Coordination committee (APMCC) led the campaign for the Temple Trust Board. Its chairman Vinood Pandit sat on a 10-day fast-unto-death last year.
Financial package for Kashmiri Pandits
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also directed authorities concerned to formulate a proposal for enhancement of financial assistance for constructing houses for Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley.
Chairing a meeting of the Apex Advisory Committee for Kashmiri migrants here, the Chief Minister directed the State’s Revenue and Rehabilitation department to undertake a series of measures for repatriation of Kashmiri Pandits.
“We know the return of migrants call for a good residential accommodation for them. Those who want to return should get suitable financial assistance to build their houses in the Valley,” he said.
Mr. Omar said the proposal would be discussed and cleared by the Cabinet and the issue taken up with the Centre accordingly.
The Chief Minister also directed the Revenue department to start a ‘Kashmir Darshan’ tour for migrant students, adding priority in the selection should be given to those visiting the Valley for the first time.
“This will help them interact with students and learn different aspects and significance of the Valley,” he said
Noting that the security scenario has positively changed in the region during last few years, he said the return of about 1,500 migrant youth to the Valley in search of jobs had further boosted confidence.
The Chief Minister directed officials to set in motion the process of creation of 3,000 additional posts for Kashmiri migrant students.
Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, B A Runiyal said those migrants who are registered under the relief category will continue to receive assistance for two years after their return to the Valley.
“Their school-going children will be entitled to a scholarship of Rs 750 every month. Migrants who wish to return and want to set up income generating units will be entitled for a cash assistance of Rs 5 lakh, of which Rs 2.50 lakh will be as subsidy and the rest recoverable in easy instalments,” he said.
Migrants will also be entitled to cash assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh for re—cultivation on agriculture and horticulture respectively, said Runiyal.
“Those migrants who had loan outstanding as on January 1, 1990, when they were forced to leave the Valley at the height of militancy, will be entitled for waiver of interest,” he added.
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