Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK) refugees, who had crossed over to Indian side during the partition and the Indo-Pak wars, had been demanding relief and rehabilitation from the government for the last 67 years. Nearly 36,000 families are presently registered as PoK refugees. The Centre had asked the State Government to give them a proposal for relief and rehabilitation, resulting in the State Government approving this proposal. Also approved as part of the package is a two per cent reservation for children of PoK refugees in education institutions and an employment package. The PoK refugees see this proposal as a historic decision and are very hopeful that Centre will approve the pending purposal at the earliest. Union Minister Jitendra Singh had met a delegation of PoK refugees in Jammu sometime back and had assured to redress their grievances on a priority basis. There has been no dearth of assurance to this section of the society. Even the present BJP government in the Centre is sincere in its endevour to provide succour to the refugees by announcing one of the largest package for the displace community for the last six decades. Prime Minister Modi’s announcement during his visit to the State on 7th November last had kindled a ray of hope for all the displaced persons. The community has also demanded that proper projection be made to the Centre about nearly 5,300 families of PoK refugees settled outside the State and about 9,500 families, who were not considered for ex-gratia grant decided in 1960 on certain conditions which were, later on, waived off in the year 2000.
