Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday directed authorities to ensure that all completed transit accommodations meant for Prime Minister’s Package employees in Kashmir are occupied by eligible beneficiaries by the end of July, while reviewing rehabilitation measures and welfare initiatives for displaced communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The directions were issued during a high-level meeting convened to review issues related to PM Package employees serving in the Kashmir division, including transit accommodation, career progression, rehabilitation measures and other welfare concerns.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from the Finance, Public Works, Planning, General Administration, Revenue, Rural Development and Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction departments, besides the Relief Commissioner (Migrants) and other concerned officials.
Reviewing the status of transit accommodation infrastructure, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for optimal utilisation of the facilities already created and directed the Relief Commissioner (Migrants) to ensure that all completed flats are taken over by eligible employees without delay.
He also reviewed the progress of transit flats under construction at different locations and assessed the status of allied infrastructure, including electricity supply, drinking water facilities, internal roads, boundary walls and sewage treatment plants, to ensure the colonies are fully functional and habitable.
The meeting further discussed plans for operation and maintenance of transit accommodation facilities and migrant colonies in Jammu. Officials informed the meeting that land has been identified at Purkhoo for the creation of additional accommodation facilities.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed service-related issues concerning PM Package employees, including promotions, preparation of seniority lists and inter-district transfers within the Kashmir division. Departments presented cadre-wise details of employees and updated the meeting on the status of Departmental Promotion Committees and other service matters.
Several issues related to the welfare and rehabilitation of displaced communities also came up for discussion. These included cases under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme for families of deceased employees, budgetary requirements for maintenance of migrant colonies and the development of an integrated online portal for digitisation of records relating to displaced communities, including Kashmiri Pandits, West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) and families displaced from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Principal Secretary, Department of Migration, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R), Chandraker Bharti, informed the meeting that a Detailed Project Report for operation and maintenance of migrant colonies across Jammu and Kashmir has been prepared and works will be initiated after completion of the necessary formalities.
He further informed that construction of the PoJK Bhawan at Suketar has achieved nearly 50 per cent physical progress and is expected to be completed by January next year. The Community Hall at Jagti has reached around 90 per cent completion and is nearing completion, he added.
Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Dr. Arvind Karwani informed the meeting that of the 6,000 transit flats sanctioned for PM Package employees, 4,648 have been completed while work on the remaining 1,352 flats is underway.
He said 3,257 flats have so far been allotted to eligible employees, including 532 allotments made since the last review meeting held in March this year.
The meeting was also briefed about the status of allied works and utility services being developed to make transit accommodation colonies fully ready for occupation.
Reiterating the government’s commitment towards ensuring dignified living conditions and timely resolution of service-related issues, the Chief Secretary called for close coordination among departments to expedite pending works and address concerns of PM Package employees and displaced families across Jammu and Kashmir.
