Showing its displeasure over delay in construction of transit accommodations for migrants in Kashmir valley, the Parliamentary Panel has recommended to the Union Home Ministry to set a timeline for the completion of construction of the remaining transit accommodations for migrants in the Valley and ensure that the deadlines are adhered to and there is no further delay.
In its report tabled in the Parliament, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Home Affairs has said that it is disappointing to note that precious time of four years has passed just in deciding the issue of constructing transit homes at private or Government lands. “The Committee notes that only 1,025 units have been completed or substantially completed, while 1,488 units are still at various stages of completion.
However, the status of the construction of the remaining 3,487 units is unclear.
The committee in its report said it is disappointed to note that precious time of four years has passed just in deciding the issue of constructing transit homes at private or Government lands. Now that the issue has been decided, the Committee, therefore, recommends that the MHA should set a timeline for the completion of construction of the remaining transit accommodations and ensure that the deadlines are adhered to,” read the recommendations made by the Panel after the Government submitted an Action Taken Report on its earlier observations.
Under the Prime Minister’s much talked about Development Package, 2015 (PMDP-2015), 6000 transit accommodations have been approved to provide accommodation to Kashmiri migrant employees in the Valley appointed under PM’s special recruitment drive.
In its action taken report, the Government informed the Committee that in the initial phase, the private land was to be acquired for the construction of these transit accommodations.
“However, due to cost escalation and delay in the land acquisition process, Government of Jammu and Kashmir had decided in 2019 to provide Government land in order to speed up the construction work. Land required for construction of transit accommodations is now available with the concerned department,” the Government informed to the Committee.
Meanwhile, sources said that work is going on at snail’s pace on the construction of transit accommodations meant for migrant employees in Kashmir valley. Though the Government has issued appointment orders for 6000 migrant employees under PM package but only over one thousand accommodations are available while remaining employees have to live in rented accommodations.
Sources said with the targeted killings of minorities in Kashmir including PM package employees, the fear psychosis have grown among them. In the event of fear the majority of employees living in the rented accommodations have left them and returned to Jammu for their safety and security.
These employees are on protest here for over 225 days now demanding their relocation till situation becomes conducive in the Valley. Various Kashmiri Pandit organisations including BJP which has constituted a Committee to look into the demands of package as well as reserved category employees serving in the Valley during their visit to Kashmir and inspection of transit accommodations had also taken serious exception to the slow pace of work on the transit accommodations in various districts of Valley.
The team during their meeting with higher ups in UT administration brought the issue in their notice and stressed on intensifying the work on the transit accommodations.
The team also showed its dismay over construction of One Room Tenements (ORT) instead of Two Room Tenements (TRTs) saying that this space is not sufficient for accommodating a couple with their parents and no proper thought has been given to this issue while designing the quarters. The team also urged the Government to make change in the design and ensure the construction is made on war footing basis.
