Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that Pakistan-occupied-Jammu-Kashmir is an integral part of India and the commitment made in the Parliament regarding PoJK will soon be fulfilled.

“PoJK is an integral part of India. Commitment made in Parliament regarding PoJK will soon be fulfilled by the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi and Baba Amarnath,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said addressing the gathering after inaugurating ‘LG’s Special Governance Camp for Displaced Persons of PoJK’ here at Sports Stadium, Bhour Camp.

The Lt Governor said, “the development of new J&K is incomplete without complete integration of PoJK Displaced Persons in the mainstream development. We are committed to ensuring the welfare and well-being of all so they can realize their true potential & contribute in nation building.”

Stating that it is the responsibility of the government to secure rights of Displaced Persons of PoJK and build an enabling environment to fulfil aspirations of the young generation from the community, Sinha said that steps will be taken to regularize the colonies of displaced families.

He also announced that the J&K Government will construct Smriti Bhawan in the memory of martyrs of PoJK and every effort will be made to preserve and promote the culture and traditions of displaced families.

“Land has already been identified and soon the construction work will start,” he added.

Sinha also paid homage to the brave civilians who were martyred in the October 1947 terror attack by Pakistan.

“We remember their supreme sacrifices and understand the pain and sufferings of displaced families. It is our responsibility to secure their rights and build an enabling environment to fulfil aspirations of the young generation from the community,” observed the Lt Governor.

He added that the drive aimed to take the welfare schemes to every house and ensure coverage of all beneficiaries under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and UT Schemes will be held at Udhampur, Rajouri, Jammu, Poonch and Kathua.

“Displaced families of PoJK have suffered a lot. Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood their sufferings and made arrangements for their financial support and settlement. We have organized this camp on the direction of the Prime Minister to saturate social security schemes, handholding of youth so they pursue their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs and ensuring that they can avail all facilities like other citizens. Steps will be taken to regularize the colonies of displaced families,” said the Lt Governor.

“We had started outreach programmes in 2021 for families living outside UT so that no one is left behind in any welfare scheme and focusing on skilling, self employment, social assistance, scholarships, sports, financial inclusion to aid economic development and financial stability,” the Lt Governor said.

“The Prime Minister’s Mantra of “Vanchito ko Variyata” is guiding our developmental journey. In the last 30 months, we have ensured governance is inclusive, transparent, effective and accountable and provides equal benefit & equal opportunity to all,” the Lt Governor observed.

On August 5, 2019, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended the decades-long injustice, and provided equal opportunities to Valmiki, Gorkha, Safai Karamcharis communities and displaced persons, noted the Lt Governor and added, “families from West Pakistan were facing discrimination for many decades. Several communities were denied voting rights and other rights of citizens as enshrined in the constitution. Many generations were treated as second-class citizens. After August 2019, they were given equal rights and equal opportunities are being provided to all.”

He further expressed gratitude to the Home Minister for making seven sub-schemes an Umbrella Scheme under “Relief and Rehabilitation of Migrants and Repatriates” and extending the welfare schemes till 2025-26, he added.

“More than 21,000 domicile certificates were issued through camps in Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. We will continuously run such camps in Jammu Kashmir and other states/UTs so that all the affected families can get the benefits of government welfare schemes,” Sinha informed.

Under ‘One Time Central Assistance’ for the Displaced Persons of PoJK, Sinha added that 33,636 cases were approved and an amount of Rs 1452.33 crore was distributed and this scheme ended on March 3 last year.

“Somehow, more than 5000 families could not submit the claim within the time frame. The issue will be taken with the Central Government,” the Lt Governor noted.

He also assured that all pending issues of POJK's displaced families will be resolved and urged the talented youth to avail the benefits of youth-oriented programmes run by the government. Mission youth will extend benefits of all 17 schemes. Sports Council will provide opportunities and all possible help to the promising players in various sports disciplines.

Dr Deepak Kapoor, President, PoJK Visthapit Seva Samiti expressed gratitude towards the government for making dedicated efforts for the welfare of the PoJK Displaced persons.

Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; K K Sidha, Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation and other senior officers were also present.

(With UNI inputs)