Kashmir has been witnessing a new era of happiness, peace and normalcy beyond imagination since the abrogation of Article 370

Kashmir has been witnessing a new era of happiness, peace and normalcy beyond imagination since the abrogation of Article 370

Whether it was the occasion when the iconic Clock Tower at Srinagar's Lal Chowk illuminated in Tricolour ahead of Independence Day or Janmashtami procession by Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar on August 31, Kashmir has witnessed many unprecedented developments in the last few years.

The 75th Independence Day was celebrated with great fervor across J&K with the historic clock tower at Lal Chowk in Srinagar lit in the Indian Tricolour and the Baglihar Dam lit up in saffron, white and green.

Also, after a gap of 32 years, the Kashmiri Pandits organised a Janmashtami procession to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna in Srinagar on August 31. Also, scores of Kashmiri Pandits in Handwara of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district organised Janamashtami processions.

Launch of portal for Pandits to reclaim properties

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken another step to make the Valley habitable for Kashmiri Pandits and give them dignified life. The J&K administration on Tuesday, September 7, launched a portal for the Kashmiri Pandits to reclaim their properties that were left behind. The decision has been taken to ensure the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Union Territory.

Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits had to leave behind or sell their properties during their exodus in the 1990s. The Central government and the UT administration have taken several major decisions for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Protection of Kashmiri Pandits properties

Earlier in August, the J&K administration had issued an order for the preservation and protection of immovable properties of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. The order asked the officials to implement the J&K Migrant Immovable Properties Act, 1997 strictly and in letter and spirit.

The Revenue department of the administration had been asked to prepare an online portal for displaced Pandits so that they can register their complaints about encroachments etc. The district magistrates of all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley had been asked to undertake survey and field verification of the properties of Kashmiri Pandits within 15 days. Many Kashmiri Pandits welcomed this decision.

Nine properties of Kashmiri Pandits restored to original owners

In August, the Central government informed parliament that so far nine properties of Kashmiri Hindu migrants have been given back to the rightful and original owners.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed parliament that as per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, after the abrogation of Article 370, a total of 520 migrants have returned to Kashmir for taking up the jobs under the Prime Minister's Development Package-2015.

PM’s development package for Jammu and Kashmir

In November 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a Rs. 80,000 crore rupee development package for Jammu and Kashmir. There are many rehabilitation schemes under this package.

6000 reserved jobs for the Kashmiri migrant youth under this package has been an important component for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. A total of nearly 3800 migrant candidates have returned to Kashmir in the last few years to take up the PM package jobs. Another nearly 2000 migrant candidates are also likely to return under the same policy in the year 2021 on successful completion of the Selection process.

Also, in order to provide accommodation to the 6000 Kashmiri migrants who are getting employed in the Valley, 6000 Transit Accommodation units are being constructed in various districts of Kashmir Valley. So far, 1025 dwelling units have already been constructed which include 721 dwelling units in the district of Budgam, Kulgam, Kupwara, Anantnag and Pulwama. Another 1488 units are under construction and land has been identified for about 2444 units.