Fresh migrant relief registration not justified amid improved situation in valley: CM Abdullah

Encounters persist even in 2026: CM takes swipe at BJP’s 2019 terror claims, says current situation inherited; defends asset outsourcing

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present in view of the improved law and order situation in the valley.He said that the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants is aimed at facilitating their voluntary, safe and dignified return to the valley while ensuring socio-economic security through housing, employment and other support measures.

Replying to a written question by National Conference member Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present. The issue was examined in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on July 12, 2023, where it was observed that the improved law and order situation in the valley does not justify fresh registration at this stage.”

Abdullah said the proposal for enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance, considering inflation and the rising cost of living, has been examined at the Union Territory level and taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the competent authority to take a final decision on the matter.The chief minister said the comprehensive Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants was announced in 2009 with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore. He said the scheme provides a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education and financial security of the migrant community.

Detailing the components of the scheme, Abdullah said it includes provision of residential support for migrant families, construction of transit accommodation for employees appointed under the package, continuation of monthly cash relief to registered migrant families, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.The chief minister said that to facilitate the return and rehabilitation, the Centre sanctioned 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in 2009, followed by another 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in 2015, taking the total number of posts earmarked for migrant youth to 6,000.

“Against the sanctioned 6,000 posts, appointment orders have been issued to 5,896 candidates so far, achieving about 98.26 per cent coverage. The remaining 104 posts are at various stages of recruitment and selection,” he said, adding that the employment component has significantly contributed towards livelihood security and confidence-building among the migrant youth.On transit accommodation, Abdullah said that the Centre sanctioned the construction of 6,000 transit accommodation units across various districts of the valley in December 2015 for migrant government employees appointed under the PM package.

He said that out of the total 6,000 flats, 4,096 were completed till December 2025, while 1,904 units are under construction and are expected to be completed during the 2026-27 financial year.“Out of the completed stock, 3,250 flats have already been allotted to eligible PM package employees,” he said, adding that these accommodations are being developed as planned residential complexes with essential civic amenities and security arrangements to ensure a stable and secure living environment.

The chief minister said that there is no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley, as the existing 6,000 units being constructed at 20 locations are intended to meet the residential requirements of migrant employees.Encounters are taking place even in 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday in a veiled jibe at the BJP over its claim that terrorism would end following the abrogation of Article 370 that happened in 2019.

Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in encounters with security forces in the higher reaches of Ramnagar in Udhampur and Chatroo in Kishtwar districts on Wednesday, taking the death toll in nine gunfights in the Jammu region in the past three weeks to five.Earlier, one Pakistani terrorist was killed in Kathua on January 23, while an Army paratrooper also laid down his life in a gunfight in Kishtwar on January 18.”It just keeps going on. They (terrorists) were killed, fine, but where did they come from? How did they reach Udhampur? Since when were they there? And how long will this continue?

“We were told that after 2019, this cycle would end. But now, even in 2026, it has started again and is not stopping,” the chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.He was responding to a question about the killing of two JeM terrorists in a two-day-long operation in Ramnagar forest in Udhampur district.”On the contrary, areas that were completely free of terrorism before 2014–15 are now witnessing such incidents. So how did they reach Udhampur? Since when were they present there? Somewhere, we must get answers to these questions,” the chief minister said.

Asked about the upcoming three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Abdullah said he would not like to discuss it in the media. “We will sit across the table and talk. There are many issues that need to be discussed face-to-face. We will do that.”In response to another question related to the rise in cancer cases in the Union Territory, the chief minister said there was no dispute over the fact that cancer incidence was rising, and the reasons behind it could only be determined by medical experts.

Outlining the government’s role in curbing the number of such cases, he mentioned three key responsibilities that needed urgent attention.”The first is increased funding for research and development, along with the creation of proper infrastructure. The second is strengthening the healthcare system to ensure that state cancer institutes function effectively, have adequate infrastructure, and allow doctors to work efficiently.”

The third priority, he said, is supporting financially weaker sections for whom cancer treatment had become extremely difficult due to the high cost of medicines.”The government is working on a special package for such patients, which would be announced in due course,” he added.Omar Abdullah on Wednesday revealed that the assets of Sungli yatri base camp and rain shelter sheds for the Kailash yatra have been outsourced and said that this situation was inherited by his government.

Replying to a question by BJP MLA Dalerp Singh during Question Hour in the Assembly, Abdullah, who is also the Tourism minister, said that an amount of Rs 279.83 lakh had been spent on the construction of Yatri Base Camp Sungli and rain shelter sheds at Kailash Kund during 2014–15.He said that in 2017, the asset was outsourced for a period of three years at Rs 24 lakh per year and was again outsourced for 10 years during 2024–25 at Rs 26.25 lakh per year with a 10 per cent escalation every year.

Replying to a supplementary question by Singh, raising concerns about the outsourcing of Yatri Niwas and other facilities for the Kailash Yatra in Bhaderwah, Abdullah said, “This situation was inherited by us. Initially, it was for three years, and at that time, we were not even in the office. Before coming in on October 24, this was outsourced. The outsourcing was done for ten years. You asked correctly why it was done for ten years, but it was done. At that time, the department understood correctly that it had been done for ten years. If you wish, it can be cancelled…”

“The asset was outsourced to strengthen the revenue base of the Bhaderwah Development Authority to utilise the same for meeting day-to-day requirements of the authority like maintenance of parks and gardens, resorts, tourist huts, guest houses, etc,” he said.The Executive Engineer (R&B) Division Bhaderwah has been requested to prepare a Detailed Project Report for the construction of shelter sheds, kiosks and public convenience complexes at various tourist places of Bhaderwah, including Roushra Mata, Kailash Yatra and Manimahesh Yatra routes in Bhaderwah constituency, he added.