Only Three Families Return to Kashmir Under Rs 1,618 Cr UPA Migrant Package: RTI | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has outlined details of a rehabilitation package for Kashmiri migrants, including housing, employment, and financial assistance components, in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, official documents show.

According to the reply issued by the Office of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), the government had approved a package in 2009 for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley, with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore.

The RTI response states that the scheme includes multiple components such as housing assistance, transit accommodation, continuation of cash relief, scholarships for students, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturists and horticulturists, and waiver of interest on loans.

Under the housing component, financial assistance of Rs 7.5 lakh has been предусмотр for fully or partially damaged houses, while Rs 2 lakh is provision for dilapidated or unused houses. Additionally, Rs 7.5 lakh is provision for purchase or construction of houses in group housing societies for those who had sold their properties before the enactment of relevant legislation.

The document notes that only a limited number of families have opted for return to the Valley under the package so far.

On employment, the government had targeted providing jobs to 6,000 unemployed migrant youth, out of which 5,880 appointments have been made, while the remaining posts are at various stages of recruitment.

Regarding transit accommodation, the reply states that 6,000 housing units are being constructed for Kashmiri migrant employees in the Valley. As of April 1, 2026, 4,118 units have been completed and 1,882 are under construction.

The government has also enacted legal provisions to safeguard migrant properties and prevent distress sales, designating District Magistrates as custodians of such properties, according to the document.

The RTI reply further clarifies that information provided is based on available records and does not extend to interpretations beyond documented data. [KNT]