JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that no land belonging to Kashmiri migrants has been acquired in the Valley in violation of prescribed legal procedures, with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary asserting that the ruling National Conference has consistently worked to ensure justice for the displaced community.
Replying to a starred question raised by CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami in the Assembly, Choudhary said that, as per a report submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, no land is acquired without following due process, including prior notification and verification, and that all acquisitions are assessed in accordance with applicable land acquisition laws.
Choudhary was responding on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds charge of the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) department.
On the June 2022 order concerning nearly 6,000 employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Special Package for Kashmiri Pandits, the deputy chief minister said the order does not undermine their service interests rather, it strengthens and protects them.
He said recruitment under the package is governed by the J&K Migrants (Special Drive) Recruitment Rules, 2009, along with the creation of 6,000 supernumerary posts sanctioned in 2009 and 2017. However, with large-scale appointments under the scheme, a need was felt to establish a structured service management framework.
Accordingly, the government issued the June 2022 order to regulate seniority, cadre management, postings and career progression of PM Package employees. These provisions are protective and ensure that such employees are not disadvantaged vis-à-vis regular staff, he said, adding that proposals for further service improvements and possible absorption into the regular cadre are under examination by the General Administration and Finance Departments.
Addressing delays in provisional registrations of Kashmiri migrants, Choudhary said the administration decided on July 12, 2023 that fresh registrations on security grounds were no longer justified in view of the improved law and order situation, and that no further extensions would be granted.
He said a screening committee reconstituted in May 2024 has reviewed the cases and submitted recommendations. Of 1,263 cases, CID and district magistrate reports are awaited in only 75 cases, which will be decided immediately upon receipt.
The deputy chief minister said each case involves security and threat-perception assessment, requiring detailed verification by the CID and district administration.
In his supplementary, Tarigami termed the 2022 order “highly discriminatory” while welcoming the government’s move to review it. He also urged the government to reconsider relief for pensioners and review all migrant cases on humanitarian grounds.
Responding, Choudhary rejected allegations of discrimination, reiterating the government’s commitment to justice for all migrants. He described migration as “unfortunate” and said that while many cases are genuine, some have failed verification. — (PTI)