Srinagar, Mar 16: To assess the situation and explore the possibilities for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrant Pandits in the valley, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Industries and Commerce, Raman Matoo visited the pilgrimage centre of Kheer Bhawani at Tulmulla, 35 kms from here today. Matoo, who visited the shrine on the directions of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, took stock of the allied aspects and discussed parameters with the officers on-the-spot, official sources told a news agency. Kheer Bhawani at Tulmulla in Srinagar and Mattan in Anantnag district of south Kashmir have been identified as two clusters for rehabilitation of migrant Pandits under first phase of a government plan to resettle Kashmiri Pandits. The minister's visit to the shrine and exploring possibilities for rehabilitation of the Pandits is considered as a first major and serious step towards return of around three lakh Kashmiri Pandits to the valley. To begin with, government proposes to construct around 500 flats in the vicinity of Mattan temple for Pandits to stay there. If the experiment succeeds here, it will be replicated at Kheedr Bhawani, the sources said.

The state government has indicated that the displaced Kashmiri Pandits could be settled temporarily in Mattan and Kheer Bhawani areas by developing these as model clusters till they can repair their own houses.

Bureau Report