Srinagar, June 20: The state cabinet Wednesday approved an employment quota for the members of the minority community who stayed in the Valley after political unrest erupted in Jammu and Kashmir.
The state Revenue Department was entrusted to workout detailed plan for implementing the package. “The state will approach the center for supporting its implementation,” sources said.
Pertinently, under the Prime Ministers’ Rehabilitation Package announced in 2008, 6000 jobs were exclusively given to the Kashmiri migrants out of which the state had to share financial implication of 3000 jobs. More than 2000 migrants have already availed the benefits under the package.
The proposed reservation in government jobs for the religious minority community members putting up in the valley will be in addition to the quota already earmarked for the migrants in the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package.
The Cabinet agreed to recommend to the government of India to enhance incentives under Prime Ministers Package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for each family. For Pandits who have returned to the valley and are putting up in transit camps, the cabinet approved increase in the allotment of space from 240 sft to 515 sft. It also okayed enhancement in monthly cash assistance to each Pandit family from present Rs 5000 to Rs 10000.
Curiously, the cabinet decision and subsequent package for Kashmiri Pandits coincided with the sit-in staged by a group of KPs in New Delhi today to commemorate the World Refugee Day.
The protesters described themselves as people without a home and demanded a separate Union territory for themselves.
Meanwhile, as per another cabinet decision, now onwards the fresh recruits to all government departments from Reserved Backward Areas and Line of Actual Control (LAC) would have to mandatory serve in their respective areas for first seven years of service period. “It was approved by the cabinet,” sources said.
Earlier the condition was limited to Health department only.
Besides the newly created eight districts - four each in Kashmir and Jammu- are likely to get Special Additional Mobile Magistrates as the cabinet would approve the same. The move was necessitated to ensure clearance of huge number of pending cases.
The eight courts were approved for Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Shopian along with supporting staff.
The total number of courts of Special and Additional Special Mobile Magistrates created during the past five months have now gone up to 36. Once the courts start functioning formally, the State High Court will set target for each court to clear pendency. The Cabinet approved the extension of present Chairman Prof Mushtaq Ahmed Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPPE) for the period of 2 months from June 17.
After Mushtaq’s terms ends Prof RD Sharma Dean Academics Jammu University would take over the position. However till his new positing Prof Sharma would work as OSD in BOPEE.
The Cabinet confirmed the posting of Abdul Qayoum Manhas (IPS) as Inspector General of Police (Railways). The Cabinet also accorded the confirmation to the promotion of Mr. Showkat Ali Mir Joint Director Fisheries as Director Fisheries.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST