JAMMU: Stating that the government wants safe and honorable return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said the coalition government would take all measures to ensure that the living conditions in Jammu's Kashmiri migrants colonies are improved.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at Jagti township where he was on a visit yesterday to take a stock of the problems faced by the community.
Singh said the coalition government would take measures to make living conditions in the township more palatable for the migrant families.
"All of us want that Kashmiri migrants should return with honour to their homes and hearths in the Valley," Singh said.
He also directed the Power Development Department (PDD) authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply and assured the Pandits of upgradation of the Sports Stadium and park at the township.
He said soon recruitment in Police Department would be advertised and appealed to the community youths to take part in the drive.
He also assured the Kashmiri Pandits of timely supply of ration in the township.
On demands related to transportation and repair of the approach road to Nagrota, Singh said the matter would be taken at an appropriate level and demands would be redressed in a time-bound manner.
The deputy chief minister also gave an assurance of proper functioning of the hospital in the township and he directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure immediate repair of a non-functional ambulance lying in the hospital.
Advisor to Chief Minister Prof Amitabh Mattoo and MLC Surinder Ambardar were also present during the visit.
Speaking on the occasion, Mattoo lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the Deputy Chief Minister for taking a keen interest in mitigating the problems of the community and said the government is serious for the return and rehabilitation of the community in the Valley with security and honour.
The Kashmir Pandits there apprised Singh of their problems and presented a charter of demands which included their return, rehabilitation and settlement at one place in the Valley, speeding up of recruitment in special employment package for the migrants.
They also demanded political empowerment of the community, special economic package for overaged unemployed youths, economic package for traders, upgradation of schools in migrant camps, removal of encroachments of migrants' immovable property, timely supply of ration, removal of shortage of staff in government schools of Jagti, ward or Panchyat-type election in township.
On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister and VC Central University of Jammu adopted one school each for upgradation.