Economic package for Kashmiri migrants’ rehabilitation
- The Cabinet approved Rs. 2,000 crore for the rehabilitation of Kashmiris who moved to different parts of India in the early 1990s and began to be recognised as migrants.
- It will encourage a positive change in the conflict-torn region and possibly repair ties between the Muslim and Pandit communities of Kashmir.
- The Rs. 2,000 crore was part of the big package of Rs. 80,000 crore that was recently announced by the Prime Minister. The money is specifically meant for the people who are registered as residents of Kashmir province.
- Since the first batch of Pandits left Kashmir in January 1990, several Pandit advocacy groups have blamed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)
- Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is a militant outfit before the Indian government in 1993.
- JKLF leader Yasin Malik called for a unilateral ceasefire in 1994. Though he distanced himself from the Cabinet approval, Mr. Malik promised support to the resettlement policy.
- Registered Kashmiri migrant families numbering 62,000 and residing in Jammu, Delhi and NCR stand to benefit from the initiative.