Displacement of KPs and After

Vijay Saqi (Mahanoori) Editor  Naad May 2006

There were several developments which demanded attention while planning the present issue. The first and the foremost was the budget of the Jammu and Kashmir state for the year 2006-07. According to experts the share of Displaced Kashmiries comes down every year. Last year, an attempt was made for the first time to take a look at the budget proposals with an objective to understand what it contains for Displaced Kashmiri Pandits Our Jammu Bureau chief A K Dewani, who remained part of Budget making process for quite a good number of years, brought to the fore certain revealing aspects of it and put across the point that the community has been deprived of its share in the development process. This year the story is more disturbing. Notwithstanding the substantial increase in the budget allocation from the planning commission, the funds allotted for the welfare of displaced community have been reduced? The amount being incurred on relief has reduced by more than four cores. Mr. Dewani while analysing this year's budget says that most of the funds allotted for the displaced community will be spent on Bandobast.

 

Another important event was the completion of government funded report on the impact of migration on the socio-economic conditions of displaced Kashmiris prepared by the Jammu and Kashmir centre for minority studies, under the overall guidance of former additional chief secretary of the state M L Kaul. We have a special report on its findings and recommendations The disturbing factor is the growing trend of divorces in the community. The report nails the lie of the propaganda machinery that Jagmohan was responsible for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. While looking at the different aspects of the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, the report clearly says that the government has no policy about the future of Kashmiri Pandits There are several other aspects of this comprehensive report which has been prepared with the help of respective experts in various fields, making it more credible. The project was initially conceived for the entire Kashmiri Pandit population living as migrants in every nook and corner of world but due to total indifference by the central government, it had to restrict its area of operation to Jammu region alone The report will also open the eyes of those who were talking about the large chunk of money being spent on the relief. Our Jammu bureau chief piecing together information records only half of the population living in the camps is drawing relief and they constitute only 14 per cent population of the total displaced people. Details in the story and some other important facts of this report shall be brought to fore in the coming issues.

 

Another important event of the month was the Meet of minority affairs minister with the community representatives. This was not without drama. First KPUF approached the minister and fixed a date for a get together. Later Kashmiri Samiti also jumped in the fray Finally, the minister himself took the initiative and held a marathon meeting on 15th of April. Even though debate continues in the community on granting it status of minority, the minister AR Actually made many promises. Let us hope they come through. Our first priority is to seek regularisation of Kashmiri Migrant Teachers in Delhi. Their case has been hanging fire for quite a long time now. A report on the meet will give you all details. It is another matter that yet another interaction was organized in just week's time, apparently, to score the points.

 

With very good response from the readers on some of our innovations, we are trying our best to bring to you those stories which are yet to reel through your eyes. In this issue we introduce you to a professor in IIT Delhi and an actress who is doing exceptionally well on small screen. Space for health tips is also being provided for the benefit of our readers. We plan to start soon a quiz to involve our younger generation, providing them a peep into our rich cultural heritage. I am sure. If we continue to receive your patronage. support and guidance, this sleek journal is bound to come up to your expectations. I sign off with the hope that you all will come forward and join the campaign to make the community's voice heard in higher echelons of power.

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The views expressed in the Article above are Vijay Saqi’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy: Vijay Saqi (Mahanoori)  and May 2006, Naad