No Kashmiri Pandit family returned to valley despite package: Govt

The government had announced a Rs 1,618 crore package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley in 2008 but so far no family has returned.

The government had announced a Rs 1,618 crore package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley in 2008 but so far no family has returned.

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"A comprehensive package of Rs 1,618.40 crore has been announced for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the valley in 2008," minister of state for home Jitendra Singh informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The package provides for provision of assistance for housing, transit, accommodation, continuation of cash relief, students' scholarship, employment, financial assistance to agriculturists and horticulturists and waiver of interest on loans.

Singh said during 2010-11, the Jammu and Kashmir government has reported an expenditure of Rs 22.88 crore for construction of transit accommodation.

"No family has returned to the valley. However, under employment component of the package, 1,438 candidates have joined in the valley against the created posts," he said.