Dear Editor, Government always speaks in high volumes as far as return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants is concerned but the harsh reality is totally different. The J&K government has completely failed to rehabilitate KPs back in the valley since their forced exodus. However, in year 2009 the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has announced a special job package for Kashmiri migrants in order to rehabilitate them back in Kashmir valley. But very unfortunately nothing of that sort has happened till date as J&K Government seems to be less interested in making this rehabilitation package, a grand success. Recently General Administration Department (GAD) has issued a draconian order by making SO-194 applicable to all those PM package employees who were appointed after 17th June, 2020. Under SO-194, the migrant employees who are working in Kashmir valley will be getting only basic salary without any allowances like HRA, DA, TA, Medical Allowance and no increment during probation period. These PM package employees are living in rented accommodation across various districts in Kashmir by giving hefty amounts as a monthly room rent. Now applicability of SO-194 on PM package will make their lives difficult and tough as surviving with such a less salary is next to impossible now-a-days when prices of all essential commodities have sky rocketed. It is also pertinent to mention here that these posts are supernumerary posts and the funds for their salaries are not borne on establishment of J&K UT. The funds for their salaries are borne completely by the Centre Government so as such applicability of SO-194 to these supernumerary posts does not arise. Further, Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) has also made it clear that the PM package migrant posts do not come under purview of SO-194 or SRO-202. Moreover, General Administration Department has also conveyed through their old notification no: GAD/MTG/RB-IV/23/2020/Part-1, dated: 17-06-2020 that no fresh appointments shall be made under SO-194. Now one fails to understand as to why GAD has made SO-194 applicable to all PM package employees, who were appointed after 17.06.2020. This order in itself is contradictory in nature, as the GAD has miserably failed to explain the rationale behind the applicability of SO-194 on PM package employees. This is sheer injustice and discrimination with this community in particular. This lackadaisical approach of the Government has left all the migrant employees under PM Employment Package in lurch and disdain. Therefore, through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to make an humble appeal to LG to kindly look into this matter and Administrative Secretaries be directed not to implement SO-194 on PM package employees as these posts have been created for specific purpose i.e., for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants in Valley. Vivek Koul, Gole Gujral, Jammu.
