Context: Cabinet has approved Inclusion of 5,300 Displaced Persons (DP) families of Jammu & Kashmir in the Rehabilitation Package approved by the Cabinet on 30.11.2016 for Displaced Families of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb under the PM’s Development Package 2015 for Jammu & Kashmir.

These families initially opted to move outside the State of Jammu & Kashmir but later on returned and settled in the state.

Significance:

• The approval will enable such Displaced Families to become eligible to get one-time financial assistance of Rs 5.5 Lakhs under the existing scheme, and in turn, be able to get some sustained income which the existing scheme is aimed at.
• This will also enable them to earn a reasonable monthly income and be part of mainstream economic activities.
• This will also upgrade the Government’s capacity to respond effectively to such DP families need of financial assistance.

Background:

In the aftermath of partition of the country in 1947, thousands of families from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir migrated to Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, during Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971, a large number of families were displaced from Chhamb Niabat area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Series of relief and rehabilitation packages have been extended by the Government of India/State Government of J&K from time to time to mitigate the hardship of displaced persons from PoJK and Chhamb and to rehabilitate them.