This Article is From May 24, 2016

In Exile, Kashmiri Pandits Without Ration For Three Months

Samvati, a Kashmiri Pandit living in a migrant camp in Jammu did not receive any ration for four days.

Srinagar: Life has never been easy for Samvati, a 70-year-old Kashmiri Pandit living in a migrant camp in Jammu. But the last three months have been painful for her and the four members of her family as they haven't received any ration promised to them by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

"They haven't given us ration for last three months. First they said 5 kg will be given but eventually didn't give anything. No rice, sugar or atta (flour)," said Ms Samavati.  

As per the migrant policy, the government gives a monthly sustenance allowance of Rs 10,000 to each family living in refugee camps. They are also entitled to rice, sugar and flour from government stores. The Pandits say this is the first time in the last 26 years that they are facing such a crisis.

"We never suffered like this before like we are suffering under this government. We had hopes and we gave them votes," said Ramesh Chandra, a migrant Pandit.

Over 40,000 Kashmiri Pandit families are living in exile in various camps in Jammu after their exodus from the valley due to the outbreak of militancy in 1990.
 

Many Kashmiri Pandit families are staying in camps since 1990.

The government admits that ration was not given for three months but say provisions for the month of May has been made.

"They are getting cash allowance of Rs 2500 per individual and maximum Rs 10,000 per family a month; as part of relief we are providing 9 kilos of rice, 2 kilos of atta and one kilo sugar to them," said  MK Pandita, relief commissioner for migrants, Jammu and Kashmir government.

Mr Pandita says the delay was due to implementation of National Food Security Act in the state. As per NFSA only 5 kilo rice can be given to a person against the 9 kilos the government has been providing to migrants.

But it's not just ration. Kashmiri pandits say they are being harassed by power department to pay their electricity dues.

While the government says they doing enough for the Pandit community, those living in refugee camps say even the means of daily survival have been severely hit over the three months.
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