Rs 27.99 billion package on anvil for Kashmiri migrants

The Jammu and Kashmir government has formulated an action plan, encouraging Kashmiri migrants to their homes in the valley.

A three-member government sub-committee, headed by Financial Commissioner (Planning) M L Koul, has also recommended a Rs 27.99 billion package for the 50,000-odd migrants.

The package proposes reconstruction of damaged houses, interest-free loans up to Rs 200,000 per individual, admission to wards of migrants in educational institutions on priority basis and grant of one-time stipend of Rs 1000 per student.

Revenue Minister Abdul Ahad Vakil said the benefits listed in the package will be extended to the migrants within a fortnight of their return to the valley. However, no formal decision has been taken in this regard.

The other recommendations of the panel include creation of an authority to protect migrants's property, setting up of three major transit settlements in Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla, taking over possession of migrant properties by the protector general and arrangement of camp accommodation for all migrant employees coming back to the valley.

A copy of the report has been presented to Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah during the former's Kashmir visit.

Meanwhile, four militants were among the five people killed in the valley.

Following a tip-off, troops cordoned off Bajpatheri and adjoining areas in the frontier district of Kupwara to nab militants and their sympathisers.

Realising that the area has been sealed off, the militants fired upon the army, according to a defence spokesman.

When the security forces returned the fire, three militants were killed. Troops later recovered one Pika gun, three AK-56 rifles, one rocket-launcher and one grenade-launcher near the encounter site.

The spokesman said troops killed a militant and arrested another during a search operation at Baramulla on Tuesday evening.

Mukhtar Ahmed, UNI