Jammu, Apr 15 — Kashmiri Pandits on Wednesday staged a protest in Jammu, demanding a two-fold increase in monthly relief, saying the existing cap of around ₹13,000 per family has remained unchanged for the past eight years despite rising inflation.
Scores of protestors gathered at Press Club Jammu under the leadership of community representative Ravinder Koul, raising slogans and pressing for an immediate revision of assistance.
“For the past eight years, there has been no enhancement in the relief despite a steep rise in inflation. The assistance follows a fixed structure and no family receives more than around ₹13,000 per month,” Koul said, questioning how families are expected to sustain on the amount.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure the relief is doubled.
Koul said there is a misconception about the financial condition of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. “People believe that all Pandits are getting substantial support and living comfortably, which is not true,” he said, adding that the relief is limited to select categories such as over-aged unemployed individuals, small businessmen and displaced agriculturists, excluding government employees and pensioners.
He pointed out that many educated individuals who were in their 30s at the time of displacement have now crossed the eligibility age for employment and continue to struggle without opportunities.
“Our demand is simple — conduct a proper survey, assess the financial condition of such individuals and provide an economic rehabilitation package. We are not asking for unrealistic compensation but a dignified rehabilitation,” he said.
Protestors said that despite repeated representations to successive governments and the Union Home Ministry, issues related to enhancement of cash assistance and compensation remain unresolved.