248 Transit Flats Completed for Kashmiri Migrants; 881 Allottees in Possession So Far

SRINAGAR: Against the target of 688 transit flats set for the July–September 2025 quarter, 248 units have been completed across the Kashmir Valley, with 881 Prime Minister’s Package employees already in possession of accommodation. Additional allotments will follow once boundary walls, internal roads, security pickets, and other basic amenities are completed.

The update came during a high-level review of key welfare milestones for the migrant population of Jammu and Kashmir, chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The meeting, convened by the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R), was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Principal Secretary, DMRR&R, Commissioner Secretaries of FCS&CA and GAD, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and other senior officers.

The meeting took stock of the physical and financial progress of ongoing works under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP-2015) and reviewed measures to improve service delivery for Kashmiri Migrants, Jammu Migrants, and other Displaced Persons (DPs).

To optimise the use of existing infrastructure, the department is revising allotment criteria to ensure effective utilisation of about 1,600 un-allotted flats at select transit sites. New initiatives are also being undertaken, including the proposed migrant housing cluster at Dhar Dharchon in Jammu, where feasibility studies are in progress.

A major infrastructure project — the Community Hall at Mini Township Jagti in Jammu — is reported to be advancing steadily and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.

The meeting also finalised several welfare measures. Around 48,000 migrant ration cards are being integrated with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) database through the SMART PDS Portal, which became operational on August 22, 2025. So far, over 4,500 cards have been integrated, with special camps planned to accelerate the process.

For health coverage, the Relief Organisation has launched a Pan-India enrolment drive under the Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme. A week-long camp held in the Delhi NCR region from October 12 to 19 registered more than 400 new families, while additional camps are planned in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh from October 24 onwards.

A Technical Appraisal Committee under the General Administration Department (GAD) has been set up to vet the Detailed Project Report for a new Integrated Online Services Portal. The portal will digitise migrant and DP records and provide end-to-end online services through the Relief Organisation.

To strengthen grievance redressal, a feedback system has been added to the RRCM Portal for migrants to comment on property grievance reports submitted by District Magistrates. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, will conduct random verification of at least 50 cases per district each month to ensure authenticity.

In a governance reform measure, powers for issuing EWS, RBA, and Domicile Certificates have been delegated to ensure timely service delivery under the JK Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011.

On employment, the PMDP’s job component continues to make steady progress, with 5,880 appointments — 98 per cent of the sanctioned 6,000 posts — completed so far. The remaining vacancies are under active follow-up with the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and concerned departments for early advertisement and recruitment.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of displaced populations, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo directed all departments to maintain focus on the timely completion of projects, transparency in implementation, and sustained welfare delivery to all affected communities under DMRR&R’s purview.