J&K HC issues notice to Centre on plea of `non-migrant` Pandits

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by an organisation seeking jobs for Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley under the Prime Minister`s rehabilitation package for those who were forced to leave due to militancy.

Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti president Sanjay Tikkoo and three other "non-migrant" youths filed a petition before the High Court last week seeking directions to the Centre and J&K government for including 561 eligible Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley in the Prime Minister`s job package for displaced members of the community. Justice MH Attar last week directed the respondents to file their response and listed the case for hearing on February 3. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in August 2008 announced a job package for Kashmiri Pandit migrant youths under which 3000 youth from the community were to be given employment in government departments if they decide to return to their homes in the Valley. So far 1,446 posts have been filled up. However, 700 migrant youths declined to join the government services after being selected under the Prime Minister`s package.