The Hindu : SC notice to Centre, J&K Govt. on Pandits' plea

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 30, 2002

National

National

SC notice to Centre, J&K Govt. on Pandits' plea

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI Aug. 29. The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi Governments on a petition by the Jammu and Kashmir Migrants Camp Welfare Association seeking financial assistance and accommodation for the migrant Pandits.

A three-Judge Bench comprising the Chief Justice, B.N. Kirpal, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat issued the notice returnable in six weeks.

The petitioner pointed out that the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had announced a Rs. 6,000-crore package for the State but he had not allocated any amount to ameliorate the miseries of the migrant Pandits. Of the 30,000 migrants registered with the government authorities in Delhi, about 300 families got shelter in 14 community centres leaving others to fend for themselves in utter violation of their human rights.

It said that the reign of terror unleashed by the militants in the State for last 12 years had made it impossible for the Pandits to return to their homes.

The petitioner sought all migrant Pandit families be provided free accommodation, liberal financial assistance to enable them to engage in trade and other occupations, revision of the monthly financial assistance of Rs. 1,600 given to a family of four and reservation in jobs.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National