Consider claim of DPs of 1947 on same analogy as has been adopted in case of Chhamb DPs of 1965, 1971: DB

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Chief Justice N Kotishwar Singh and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi directed respondents to consider their claim for extending them the benefits of Scheme Supra on the same analogy as has been adopted in case of Chhamb DPs of 1965 and 1971 within a period of two weeks from today given the fact that the scheme is going to elapse on 31.12.2023, by passing a speaking order.
This significant order has been passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which has been filed by Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee, seeking direction to the respondents to allow the DPs of 1947 to submit mandatory documents as are being submitted by DPs of 1965 and 1971 for the purposes of availing the benefit under central assistance scheme for one-time settlement of displaced families from POK and Chhamb under prime minister’s development package-2015 and also seeking quashing of notice dated 9-2-2022 which has been issued by respondent 2 wherein and where under the scheme has been proposed to be closed after 5-3-2022.
DB after hearing Adv Siddanth Gupta for the PIL whereas Sr. AAG SS Nanda for the UT, observed that on the previous date of hearing while taking note of the submission that the concerned authorities are not issuing the requisite certificates in favour of the petitioners causing delay in submission of the documents, it was observed that if the requisite certificates could be issued, there would be no difficulty on the part of the beneficiaries to seek benefits under the Scheme and this Court would also not be required to examine as to why differential treatment, as projected, has been meted out to the PoJK DPs of 1947. Accordingly, S. S. Nanda, Sr. AAG, was asked to inform this Court by the next date as to whether any certificates have been issued by the competent authority in respect of DPs of 1947 and if not, the reasons for not doing so. A tentative view, in respect of the differential treatment in case of DPs of 1947 and the Chhamb of 1965 and 1971 relating to similar benefits being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, was also formed.
During the course of hearing Adv Siddanth Gupta submitted that they are deficient of the documents prescribed in respect of the PoJK DPs of 1947 as they were displaced in compelling circumstances in 1947. A compliance report has been filed by S. S. Nanda, Sr. AAG, which inter alia reflects that the scheme has been extended from 31.03.2022 to 31.03.2024, however, respondent no. 2 has issued minutes (resolution), where under the date for closure of the scheme was reflected as 31.12.2023 so that the applicants may submit the documents before the said date as the verification of those documents subsequently take considerable time.
DB after hearing both the sides observed that be that as it may, since the submission that certain set of documents is the only hurdle in the way of petitioners to seek consideration to the benefits of the scheme like that of the Chhamb DPs of 1965 and 1971, therefore, the instant PIL can be disposed of by directing the respondents to consider their claim for extending them the benefits of Scheme Supra on the same analogy as has been adopted in case of Chhamb DPs of 1965 and 1971 within a period of two weeks from today given the fact that the scheme is going to elapse on 31.12.2023, by passing a speaking order. DB accordingly ordered that instant PIL is closed and disposed of as such.