JAMMU: Working President of the Indian National Congress Jammu and Kashmir unit and former minister Raman Bhalla on Friday assured displaced Kashmiri migrants that the Congress party would continue to stand firmly with the community and fight for their genuine demands.
Interacting with a delegation of Kashmiri migrants led by Hira Lal Pandita, Bhalla strongly opposed the government’s reported move to merge the relief ration benefits of displaced migrants with the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
He termed the reported decision “unjustified” and said such a move could dilute the distinct identity and status of the displaced migrant community, which has suffered immense hardships over the past several decades.
The delegation said displaced Kashmiri Pandits were issued temporary ration cards in 1990 recognising them as a conflict-displaced community distinct from ordinary economic beneficiaries.
They alleged that forcibly bringing these ration cards under the NFSA framework was an attempt to reduce pressure on the government over the absence of any practical rehabilitation plan for the displaced community.
According to the delegation, every ration card holder belongs to a specific category of displaced survivors and categorising them under “priority” and “non-priority” groups amounts to undermining their distinct status.
Former minister Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan, Iqbal Dar, Gurdarshan Singh, Virender Manhas and other senior Congress leaders also interacted with the delegation and extended support to the displaced community.
Expressing concern over the issue, Raman Bhalla said the migrant community had already endured years of displacement and uncertainty, and any move weakening their special relief structure would only add to their grievances.
He maintained that relief and rehabilitation measures for Kashmiri migrants were humanitarian support mechanisms extended in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances that forced thousands of families to leave the Kashmir Valley.
Bhalla also accused the BJP of using the issue of Kashmiri Pandit migrants for political gains, alleging that the party had failed to address the long-pending concerns of the displaced community.
The Congress leader said history bears testimony to the party’s support for displaced Kashmiri Pandits and recalled several initiatives taken by previous Congress-led governments for their welfare and rehabilitation.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s Employment Package for Kashmiri migrants, Bhalla said the initiative was aimed at providing employment opportunities to migrant youth and facilitating their dignified return to the Valley.
He also highlighted measures taken for establishing transit and settlement colonies for displaced Kashmiri Pandits in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Recalling the ₹1,600-crore rehabilitation package announced by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 25, 2008, Bhalla described it as a historic humanitarian initiative aimed at facilitating the safe and dignified return of migrant families.
According to him, the package included provisions for 6,000 government jobs for unemployed migrant youth, financial assistance for construction of houses, restoration of orchards and revival of agricultural holdings abandoned after displacement.
He said the package also led to the construction of transit accommodations in the Kashmir Valley for migrant employees returning to government service.
Bhalla added that Congress-led governments had continued monthly relief assistance for over 23,000 displaced families living in Jammu and Delhi and had also introduced financial incentives for families willing to return and rebuild their homes in the Valley.
Describing the rehabilitation package as part of a broader vision aimed at restoring confidence, dignity and security among displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Bhalla reiterated that the Congress party would continue to raise the concerns of migrants at every appropriate platform.
He urged the government to reconsider any move that could adversely affect the special status and relief structure of displaced migrants, saying humanitarian issues should be handled with compassion and responsibility.
