MHA to move note on Rs 2,000 crore for PoK settlers

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is upping the ante on the Pakistan front and after alluding to human rights abuses in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in his Independence Day address, the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) is all set to move a proposal before the cabinet to release Rs 2,000 crores for refugees from PoK settled in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The government not only wants to expedite the release of financial package announced by PM Modi for Kashmir but also aims to bring forward alleged atrocities committed by Pakistan in PoK leading to displacement of so many families,” said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.

Officials said the one time settlement announced by the Modi government is likely to impact more than 36,000 families from PoK who migrated to J&K in 1947, 1965 and 1971. After an all-party meeting on Kashmir, the prime-minister has directed Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to get in touch with expats from PoK, Gilgit and Balochistan and highlight Pakistan’s role in human rights violation.

Modi thanked the people from these regions for responding to his appeal against Pakistan. According to officials, the release of Rs 2,000 crore as “resettlement fund” for PoK migrants will be disbursed in consultation with the state government where the figures and data of refugees have been compiled. “This will largely cover PoK and Chhamb refugees,” said an official, adding that the move may cause discontent among the refugees of West Pakistan who are yet to get government’s attention.