'J&K Govt serious to resettle Kashmiri migrant pandits'

Jammu and Kashmir government today said that a serious effort has been initiated to resettle Kashmiri migrant pandits back in the Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir government today said that a serious effort has been initiated to resettle Kashmiri migrant pandits back in the Valley.

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"The state government has initiated serious efforts to resettle Kashmiri pandits back in the valley," minister for
revenue, relief and rehabilitation Raman Bhalla told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a meeting here.

In this connection, he said an apex committee has already been constituted to expeditiously implement the Prime
Minister's scheme under which Rs 1,618 crore have been earmarked.

The minister said all those Kashmiri pandits, who are willing to rebuild and reconstruct their dilapidated houses
shall be given Rs 7.50 lakh.

"Similarly, under the scheme any group of Kashmiri pandits, who will form cooperative society, shall be given
financial assistance for purchase of the land," Bhalla said.

The minister said that migrants shall be entitled for re-cultivation of agricultural and horticultural land up to a
maximum ceiling of Rs one lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh respectively adding that those migrants who hand loan outstanding as on January, 1990 shall be entitled for waiver of interest.