New package for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in offing

While extending his good wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Khir Bhawani festival, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh has said that the country was committed to the “dignified” return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.

Manoj Bhan, an activist working for the welfare of the community, said every member of the Kashmiri community wants to go back to their homeland but there have to be conducive atmosphere, proper security and constitutional safeguard.  

“We do not want to go back as a tourist, nor do we want to live a cantonment life. There has to be a clarity on what kind of rehabilitation government wants to offer,” he said.  

Bhan said reservation of Assembly and Parliamentary seats for the community, financial assistance, reservation in educational institutions and a CGHS-like scheme for the community should be included in any new package for the Kashmiri Pandits.