Govt Says Fresh Registrations for Migrant Relief Not Being Entertained; 1,904 Transit Flats Due In 2026–27 | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The government in the Assembly said that 4,096 transit accommodation flats under the Prime Minister’s Package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants had been completed as of December 31, 2025, and that 3,250 of those flats had already been allotted to eligible package employees, while 1,904 flats remain under construction and are expected to be finished in the financial year 2026–27.

The figures were given in a written reply to an unstarred assembly question by Mubarik Gul and tabled by the Under Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department. The reply said that, under the PMDP 2015 component of the package, a total of 6,000 transit accommodation units are being developed at 20 locations across the valley as planned residential complexes rather than temporary camps.

The reply set out progress on the employment component, saying that the Government of India sanctioned 6,000 posts for Kashmiri migrant youth — 3,000 under the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package 2009 and a further 3,000 under PMDP 2015. Appointment orders have been issued for 5,896 candidates, the government said, representing about 98.26 per cent of the sanctioned strength; the remaining 104 posts are in the recruitment pipeline.

Providing context, the government reminded the House that the comprehensive Package for Return and Rehabilitation was announced in 2009 with a total outlay of Rs 1,619.46 crore. The scheme, approved by cabinet decision and notified by government order in October 2009, includes provision for housing, transit accommodation, continuation of cash relief, student scholarships, employment generation, assistance for agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on outstanding loans of eligible migrant families.
On the question of fresh registrations for migrant relief assistance, the reply said fresh cases are presently not being entertained. The position was decided after a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on July 12, 2023, which noted that, in view of the overall improvement in law and order and prevailing circumstances in the valley, fresh registration of migrants was not justified at that stage. The government said any security concerns could be addressed locally by district administrations and security agencies.

The administration added that there is no proposal under consideration to establish additional migrant transit camps in the valley; instead, the 6,000 transit units under PMDP 2015 are intended to meet residential requirements. Location-wise details of the flats constructed under the scheme have been enclosed with the reply as Annexure A, the House was told.

The government concluded that continued emphasis on expeditious recruitment, timely completion of transit accommodation, and strengthening of support infrastructure remains essential to achieve the stated objectives of dignified return, livelihood security and sustainable resettlement for migrant families.