STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC) has accepted the payment of Rs 5.50 lakh to the refugees of 1947 as part payment of the onetime settlement package of Rs 30 lakh.
In a press conference held by President JKSAC Gurdev Singh flanked by other office bearers, said that history is testimony to the facts that sufferings and sacrifices of DPs of 1947 have no similarity with any other mass migration may it be the DPs of 1965, 1971 or that of 1990. Besides losing their home land and total properties, they suffered the casualties of 40,000 souls thereby obstructing and delaying the advancement of Kabailies supported fully by Pakistan Army. This breathing period was an opportunity for State’s accession with India, movement of Indian Army and stopping the enemy’s forces. He said that the DPs of 1947 have paid the cost for this portion of State due to which it is with India else Lakhanpur was their target.
The Sharnarthi Action Committee strongly condemned the contention of Union Govt in para 2.3 of the Scheme attached to Min of Home Affairs letter No 31/01/2011-R and SO dated 22nd December, 2016 taking note of earlier payments as sufficient relief and compensation to DPs of 1947 in a variety of ways.
He said that the contention of Union Government is contrary to the facts because their case remained being critically examined by the State Government during last six decades before recommending the one time package of Rs 25 lakh as the minimum one.
Thereupon the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) deputed by the Prime Minister, which studied the facts and circumstances more critically, recommended the package of Rs 30 lakh per family with other significant components.
He said that the DPs of 1947 are not convinced with the decision taken while sitting in the headquarters overruling the studies carried out on ground by different agencies. He said that the sanctioning authority needs to compare the reliefs and facilities made available to the DPs of 1990, leave aside the property loss and sacrifices of 40,000 DPs. He also pointed out that MoS PMO Dr. Jatinder Singh during his meeting at Kathua when approached by DPs 1947, had clarified that the amount of Rs 2,000 crore was not the full and final payment of the package. He said that they welcome this payment of Rs 5.50 lakh as part of their package and appealed to the Prime Minister to give due consideration to the recommendations of Jammu
and Kashmir State and the JPC. He said that the DPs of 1947 will continue to fight for fair justice.
Prominent among those present include Harbans Singh Retd Headmaster, Master Yograj, Dwarka Nath, Balbir Singh Ajji, Mukesh Raina, Rajesh Kajuria, Mohinder Singh Khalsa, Makhan Singh, Madan Lalm, Santok Singh Komal and Jagdish Lal.
