Jammu, Jan 12: A delegation of S. O. S. International - An organization for PoK Displaced Persons led by its chairman, Rajiv Chuni today met with Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and submitted a memorandum on the plight of PoK Displaced Persons to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti through his office. Prof. JS Mangal and Prof. NN Sharma both Vice Chairmen of S. O. S. International also accompanied the delegation. In a press statement, Mr. Chuni mentioned that detailed discussion was held in the meeting with Divisional Commissioner. “S. O. S. International has put forth various demands via memorandum before Div Com to seek their early redressal. Divisional Commissioner gave patient hearing to our demands and assured swift action”, he added.
Mr. Chuni said that several demands have been mentioned in the memorandum. Memorandum states that S. O. S. International extends its gratitude for release of amount of Rs 2000 crore as first installment for PoK Displaced Persons as promised by the Prime Minister of India on November 7, 2015. “Beside this, there are other components occupied in the package that haven’t been considered. As per the package passed by the State Cabinet in October, 2014, every PoK displaced family will get Rs. 25 lakh as cash compensation, Reservation of seats to the wards of PoK displaced persons in professional & technical colleges throughout the Country and 8500 jobs to the unemployed youths of PoK Displaced Persons in central forces. Nothing has been said by Government about other key components as recommended by the State Cabinet”, it states.
It further states that 5300 families of PoK displaced persons settled outside the State are excluded in this package. “These 5300 families were sent out of the State by then Government by citing the reason of paucity of space to accommodate all displaced persons in the State of J&K. They were promised to bring those (PoK DPs) back in the State and settle at their ancestral places in PoK as and when it is liberated from the illegal occupation of Pakistan. Neither the areas are liberated nor these 5300 families were brought back again in the State. These 5300 families are the bonafide residents of J&K State being displaced from parts of erstwhile State and now keeping them out of this package is not understandable”, it states.
It states that Government must constitute 3 Scouts viz Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Poonch. “Youths from the respective areas of Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Poonch are to be recruited while constituting these battalions. Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Poonch are the birth places of PoK displaced persons and they also know the topography, language and accent of these areas and they will prove quite productive in countering terrorism along this side of Line of Control (LoC). In this way, terrorism or infiltration can be tackled to large extent PoK refugees will get the employment and their sufferings will be lessened”, it says.
Memorandum further states that as far as disbursement of Rs. 2000 crore package is concerned, it is a big task before the State Government. Office of the Provincial Rehabilitation Officer, Jammu with having 2-3 employees only cannot do this herculean job at his own because of widespread corruption in this office. It tells that such a huge amount for disbursement among PoK DPs cannot be kept at the mercy of 2-3 clerks and a junior officer.
The following requests have been made in the memorandum document which include early release of rest of amount and implementation of other components of PoK DPs package recommended by the State Cabinet in October 2014, 5300 families of PoK displaced persons settled outside the State must be included in this package; constitute Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Poonch Scouts; constitute a separate committee for disbursements of relief to 1947 PoK DPs consisting of distinguish Government officers besides, members from registered NGOs working for the welfare of PoK DPs; constitute a PoK Displaced Persons Development Board in order to preserve the cultural, linguistic and ethnic identity of community; reserve seats for PoK Displaced Persons J&K in Legislative Assembly and Council; keep Provincial Rehabilitation Office (PRO) for only verification purpose as incapable staff and widespread corruption is rampant there and appoint at least Commissioner level officer to look into the process before the commencement of disbursement of any relief amount.
Mr. Chuni further said that the issue of documentation for PM package was also raised with Div Com in the meeting. Mr. Chuni said that Div Com has informed S. O. S. International that documentation for the relief amount have been eased as earlier, it was complex which was quite difficult for PoK DPs to complete all formalities. Div Com office has replied that meeting was held regarding Rehabilitation Package for PoK DPs under the chairmanship of Shri B. B. Vyas, IAS, Financial Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation/Principal Secretary to Chief Minister at Civil Secretariat, Jammu. Divisional Commissioner Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda, AC Revenue Sachin Dev Singh and Provincial Rehabilitation Officer (PRO) Mushtaq Ahmed were also present in the meeting. Div Com informed that State Government had given the approval as proposed by the S. O. S. International to change of documents submitted for making PoK DPs eligible to receive the claim. However, Div Com had a meeting with all concerned Deputy Commissioners in which it felt that 7 decades have passed and it is the 3rd generation of the PoK DPs families, as such, it may be difficult for the affected families to produce several documents. Hence, the documentation process to get the claim has been eased so that PoK DPs don’t face any hardship during the process.
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