New Delhi: There would be no permanent residency for refugees from Pakistan settled in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 unless the state Constitution is amended, the government today informed the Lok Sabha.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said West Pakistani refugees settled in the state are not the subjects as per the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and have no right to acquire immovable property such as land and house in the state.
"They are citizens of India and have the right to vote in parliamentary elections, but they do not enjoy voting rights to the state assembly and local bodies. This Ministry (MHA) has requested the state government of Jammu and Kashmir to consider conferment of permanent status to West Pakistan refugees settled in Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said during question hour.
"There would be no permanent residency to the refugees from West Pakistan settled in Jammu and Kashmir unless the state constitution is amended," Rijiju said.
The minister informed that issue is under consideration of the state cabinet sub-committee headed by state finance minister, but it is yet to form a view over the issue.
"Once the issue is decided about the permanent resident's right, all other subsidiary benefits would follow automatically," he said.
Rijiju noted that the Ministry shall consider the package for West Pakistan refugees of 1947 separately, but the state government has not provided complete information about this.
"The state has been again requested to provide information and have been informed that this ministry (MHA) shall consider the package for West Pakistani Refugees of 1947 separately as soon as it received in this Ministry," he said.
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