Assembly Spotlights Jagti Township Conditions, PM Package Service Framework | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Concerns over living conditions at Jagti Township and the service framework governing Prime Minister’s Package employees dominated proceedings in the Legislative Assembly during discussions on cut motions to Demand No. 33, with the government placing detailed data on repairs, healthcare measures, transit accommodation and relief implementation on record.

Members flagged deteriorating residential conditions at Jagti Township, citing long-pending maintenance of quarters housing migrant Kashmiri Pandits. In reply, the government said the Public Works (R and B) Department is executing repairs in phases. It informed the House that 21 works amounting to Rs 1,197.89 lakh have been approved, of which works worth Rs 777.10 lakh have been allotted. Six works stand completed and the remainder are nearing completion. An asset inventory has been prepared by the Chief Engineer, Jammu, and a Detailed Project Report for comprehensive upgradation of the flats has been framed for 2026–27 under Government Order No. 919-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated July 16, 2025.

Drinking water quality and a recent outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) also figured prominently. The Health Department said around 300 cases were reported at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Jagti in January, of which nearly 100 required admission; no deaths were recorded. Water samples tested at Government Medical College, Jammu indicated contamination in certain samples, suggesting water quality as a contributing factor. The Jal Shakti Department stated that testing is conducted as per BIS IS 10500 standards and that subsequent samples were within permissible limits. It added that surveillance has been intensified, leak detection and rectification undertaken, reservoirs cleaned and chlorination strengthened, while the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) has coordinated corrective and preventive measures.

On healthcare infrastructure, the government informed the House that a two-bedded dialysis unit has been approved under the UT Capex Budget 2025–26, with Rs 7 lakh released and tendering underway. A DPR of Rs 53.91 lakh has been framed for civil improvements including whitewashing, reconstruction of boundary walls and construction of a parking shed. Rs 20 lakh has been approved under the National Health Mission for upgradation of the ophthalmology section, while Rs 19 lakh has been sanctioned for installation of Effluent and Sewerage Treatment Plants, of which Rs 8 lakh has been released. SDH Jagti presently has one critical care and one basic life support ambulance. Of 20 sanctioned doctor posts, 18 are filled; of 52 paramedical posts, 24 are in position, with vacancies to be filled upon receipt of selection panels.

The government clarified that no Old Age Home is currently functional at Jagti. It said 200 shops have been constructed at Jagti Mini Township to promote self-employment, alongside additional shops at TRT Purkhoo, TRT Nagrota and TRT Muthi, some allotted and others under verification. All 29 Anganwadi centres are functioning within the township, with no dislocation of workers or helpers.

Transit accommodation for employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation and Development Packages also came under discussion. The government said 6,000 one-bedroom units were sanctioned by the Government of India in 2015 at Rs 920 crore, later revised in August 2024 to Rs 1,325.8427 crore including allied works. Owing to financial parameters fixed by the Centre, the design remains restricted to one-bedroom units. Of the 6,000 flats, 4,112 have been completed up to January 2026 and 1,888 are under construction, while 3,257 flats have been allotted. Possession will follow completion of allied works such as fencing, security and utility connections.

On withheld ex-gratia relief for burnt migrant properties, the government said Deputy Commissioners in Kashmir act as custodians under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997 and sanction admissible relief subject to verification and availability of funds. It clarified that ex-gratia relief does not ordinarily carry an interest component unless specifically provided in rules. During the last two years, 322 RBA and 817 EWS certificates have been issued to migrants after field verification.

A parallel cut motion seeking revocation of Government Order No. 34-JK(DMRRR) of 2022 triggered debate over service conditions of PM Package employees. The mover argued for parity in service benefits. The government maintained that the 2022 order provides a structured framework regulating seniority, cadre management and promotions without diluting rights. Recruitment, it said, is governed by the JK Migrants (Special Drive) Recruitment Rules, 2009 (SRO-412 dated December 30, 2009), and posts were created through supernumerary positions under Government Order No. 58-JK(DMRRR) of 2017.

It further informed the House that the Finance Department, in consultation with the Principal Accountant General, clarified on January 23, 2026 that upon successful completion of probation, PM Package appointees attain permanent government servant status and are thereafter governed by rules applicable to regular employees. While ruling out revocation of the 2022 order, the government said issues relating to further service improvements and possible cadre integration have been referred to the General Administration and Finance Departments for examination.

Detailing the broader rehabilitation framework, the government said monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,250 per person, subject to a ceiling of Rs 13,000 per family, is provided under the Security Related Expenditure (Relief and Rehabilitation) Scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer. Free ration supplies are provided through the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, and more than 10,000 migrant ration cards have been integrated with the SMART PDS portal. The DMRRR Department, constituted in December 2016, continues to oversee relief, housing, transit accommodation, employment facilitation, property protection and related welfare measures for registered migrant families.

The discussions brought into focus continuing administrative and welfare challenges at Jagti Township and the implementation architecture of the Prime Minister’s Package, with the government asserting that repair works, health safeguards, housing projects and service protections are being pursued in a phased and rule-based manner.