PM hopeful about return of Pandits to Valley

Jammu: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday expressed hope that the situation in Valley would become normal to pave way for return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir valley.After inaugurating the Satellite Township at Jagti near Nagrota for Kashmiri Migrants, Dr Manmohan Singh expressed the hope that the situation in Valley would become normal and Kashmiri Pandits who had to live as refugees in their own country would return back in peaceful atmosphere and live in tranquility and peace.The Prime Minister said that he had envisioned this project after visiting Jammu in 2004 and taking stock of the difficult living conditions of Kashmiri migrants in the camps. “It was thought that each Kashmiri migrant family should at least be provided 2-room tenement to live in comfortable conditions,” he said, adding that the project was planned accordingly.The inauguration of the housing complex was marked by the handing over of allotment orders by the Prime Minister to 12 beneficiaries selected 3 each from Kashmiri Pandit Migrant camps at Muthi, Purkhoo, Nagrota and Mishriwala.The Satellite Township envisages construction of 4218 two room flats under the PMRP. Of these 2112 have been completed in full and rest are expected by the end of March this year. The allotment of the flats will start soon and the shifting of migrant families from the camps is likely to begin in the month of April.Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said that the lack of sense of security compelled Kashmiri Pandits to leave the Valley. “When we are able to create peaceful and conducive conditions in the Valley and restore the sense of security in them, they will love to return even if they might be living in palatial houses.”“Till that time Government wants them to live comfortably in the Satellite Township at Jagti,” he said and thanked the Prime Minister for handing over the allotment orders to some of the beneficiaries symbolically at today’s function.Governor, N. N Vohra, GoI’s Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, Members of the State Council of Ministers, JKPCC Chief, Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz, Parliament Member, Legislators, senior officers and members of the migrant families were present on the occasion.