This Article is From Oct 27, 2017

Promises Made 10 Years Ago For Jobs Not Fulfilled, Kashmiri Pandits Say

For 42-year-old Sanjay Ganjoo living in Jammu, a government job in Kashmir is meaningless. 10 years after the announcement was made, the Masters' degree holder has now turned overage for a government job.

In 2008, 6,000 jobs were sanctioned for Pandits in the Kashmir Valley

Jammu: At an hour-long meeting in Delhi today, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti discussed the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, particularly jobs for them in the Kashmir Valley. Sources say Ms Mufti assured the Home Minister that legalities have been worked out for appointing Pandits in the Valley.

In 2008, 6,000 jobs were sanctioned for Pandits in the Valley under the Prime Minister's reconstruction programme, but only 3,000 Pandits have got jobs so far. Those who moved to Kashmir and are living in transit colonies allege the facilities are inadequate.

"Those who want to come to Kashmir must understand that multiple families have to live in a single apartment, if they are ready to face difficulties then they should come," said Rekha Kaul Bhat, a teacher living in the Sheikh Pura transit colony.

For 42-year-old Sanjay Ganjoo living in Jammu, a government job in Kashmir is meaningless. 10 years after the announcement was made, the Masters' degree holder has now turned overage for a government job.

"If the decision of providing jobs would have been implemented in a timely manner I too would have got a job and secured the future of my children," Mr Ganjoo said.

The newly-appointed interlocutor for Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, hasn't brought any optimism either.

"The job recommendations for Pandits by previous committees have not been implemented, why are they making new committees? This is just an eye wash," said RK Bhat, President Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj.

While there is no concrete time bound plan for the return of Kashmiri Pandits, there is also no clarity how the resettlement will take place and the entire process is very slow, which the Pandits say is disappointing them the most.
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