Financial package from Centre for West Pakistan refugees faces many hurdles

A senior Jammu and Kashmir government official told The Hindu that several claims could not be processed, as the individuals were not able to produce original documents such as refugee cards

A Central government scheme to provide financial assistance of ₹5.5 lakh per family to over 5,000 Hindu and Sikh families who migrated to India from Pakistan’s West Punjab after the 1947 partition, has hit a rough weather.

The scheme sanctioned in 2018, has been extended till March 31, 2024 amid several issues, ranging from lack of documents to tepid response from families.

Of the 5,764 eligible families, 70% of them are Dalits. The claims have been settled for only 903 families so far.

A senior Jammu and Kashmir government official told The Hindu that several claims could not be processed, as the individuals were not able to produce original documents such as refugee cards, when they entered India from Pakistan’s Sialkot in 1947.

The J&K administration conducted special camps a year ago to help the families apply for the Central government grant. Most families are settled in the Jammu region.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reimburses the funds to the J&K administration based on the verification of records done by the latter. In the 2023-24 budget, ₹25 crore has been allotted for the scheme.

The total outlay for the scheme after it was implemented in 2018, stood at ₹317 crore.