NEW DELHI, July 29: The three-member sub-committee constituted under the aegis of the Revenue ministry to address the return of Kashmiri migrants has recommended the Jammu and Kashmir government a Rs 2799.11crore rehabilitation pacakage including the institution of a Protector General of Migrant Property (PGMP) and setting of transit settlements.

The sub-committee headed by Financial Commissioner (Planning), M L Koul after holding discussions with the migrants in Delhi and Jammu suggested that the State Government `must initiate the process of social dialogue through Government and non-government agencies between migrants and the majority community of the Valley.'

The rehabilitation plan was presented to the Prime Minister, I K Gujral, during his two-day visit to the valley recently.

The sub-committee recommends a combined measure of steps for social dialogue among various communities of the state and an economic reparation package for about 50,000 migrant families.

The interim report recommended that each Kashmiri Migrant family willing to return to the valley be given a grant of Rs one lakh for setting up a transit settlement at Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag and a rehabilitation grant of Rs 1.50 lakh to each family. It also suggested reconstruction grant for damaged houses in rural and urban places at the rate of Rs two lakh and Rs four lakh respectively.

Referring to apprehensions expressed by the migrant community, the sub-committee said ``there was a widespread sense of insecuirty'' when migrants left the valley in 1990.

The report said ``it was felt that security depends more on the goodwill of the majority community than on the government machinery both of which were wanting when the `exodus' of 1990 took place.''

Rural families whose houses have been damaged should get Rs one lakh while 2.50 lakh is proposed for urban areas, the interim report said.

The migrant families should get a grant of Rs 50,000 each for household goods and furniture.

The sub-committee also recommended that interest-free loan of Rs one-two lakh be given to estimated 6,000 families engaged in business activities - 50 per cent of the loan be in form of grant. Banks should reschedule the repayment of outstanding loans, it said.

Compensation upto Rs 1.50 lakh be given to agriculturists/orchard owners for the loss of income during the period; the number of such families estimated to be 25,000, also, interest-free loans of Rs 1.50 lakh should be given for agricultural endeavours.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.