Monday, August 29 2005 15:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amid a noisy walkout by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Lok Sabha on the issue of assisting displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Government today (August 29, 2005) tried to turn the tables on the Opposition seeking to know the steps they had taken in the interest of the migrants when they were in power.

Countering the Opposition attack during a discussion on a Calling Attention Motion on the issue, Home Minister Shivraj Patil asserted that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government was 'alive' to the problem and had provided Rs 32 crore in 2004-05 and Rs 30 crore in 2005-06 for relief and rehabilitation of migrant families.

"Let us not play politics with the families who have suffered a lot. Let us try to help them," he said rebutting charges that the Manmohan Singh Government had failed to do justice to the Kashmiri Pandits, who had left the Valley in the nineties in the wake of terrorism in the state.

Patil also denied that facilities being provided to these families, including cash compensation, were being reduced to force them to go back to the valley.

"We shall be happy if they go back to their homes/fields and shops but they cannot be forced by stopping compensation and other facilities," the Minister said.

There are 55,476 registered Kashmiri migrant families, 34,088 in Jammu, 19,338 in Delhi and 2,050 in other states, Patil informed the House.

"Central and State Governments have taken all possible measures to ensure that the needy migrant families are provided with a reasonable level of substance and support," Patil said, adding, "monthly cash relief of Rs 3,000 per family and basic ration was being provided to 14,869 families in Jammu."

Similarly, 4,100 Kashmiri migrant families residing in Delhi were being given Rs 3,200 a month as cash relief for non-camp migrants and Rs 2,400 per family along with basic ration for those living in camps, he said.

Expressing concern over the low cash compensation, BJP leader V K Malhotra demanded that the same be raised to a minimum of Rs 5,000 per month. He remarked that terrorists were handed out doles under the 'healing touch' policy, where as meagre amounts were spent on displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Malhotra claimed that Rs 13,500 crore were spent on the 'healing touch' policy and 24,000 jobs were offered to terrorists who gave up arms.

Patil said, "The two, terrorists and migrant Kashmiri Pandits, cannot be compared. There are some people who indulge in terrorist activities as they do not get jobs, so it will not be right to compare them."

On the issue that Kashmiri Pandits should be involved in all talks related to state, the Minister said, "I have met them several times. Who ever comes from Kashmir and wants to talk to us, we never say no to them."

He also denied the charges of land and properties of the displaced families being acquired by the Government. "No Government, either Centre or State, can acquire land or property of anybody without proper compensation."

Malhotra also demanded that the Sushma Choudhary Committee report on the Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits be made public and asked the Government to set up a Tribunal to look into the sale of properties and lands of the displaced families.

Patil informed the House that an expenditure of about Rs 50 crore is incurred annually towards providing cash assistance and rations to the migrants in Jammu. The total expenditure incurred for providing relief since 1990 is Rs 586.37 crore.

"The amount is reimbursed to the Jammu and Kashmir Government by the Centre under Security Related Expenditure," he said, adding, "The expenses for providing relief to the migrants in Delhi is borne by the Delhi Government and it amounts to about Rs 15 crore annually."

Elaborating on the Reconstruction Plan of Rs 24,000 crore, announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2004, Patil said the Plan included initiatives for strengthening the economic and social infrastructure in the state with a thrust on employment and income generation in sectors like tourism, agriculture and food processing.

The minister also denied allegations of temples being demolished in Kashmir or acquired by terrorists. "It is not true," he said.

Dissatisfied over Patil's reply, the Opposition, led by BJP, walked out of the House.