J&K LG inaugurates 1,416 transit flats for Kashmiri Pandit employees
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha opened residential complexes in Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara to support the return of Kashmiri Pandit families.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated 1,416 transit accommodation flats for Prime Minister’s Package employees in the Kashmir Valley on Sunday, according to reports by The Times of India, Urban Acres and Kashmir Observer.
Sinha inaugurated the Zewan complex in Srinagar, which contains 936 flats across 39 blocks. He also virtually opened the Kulangam Bagh complex in Kupwara, consisting of 288 flats across 18 blocks, and the Kakan Maran project in Budgam, which includes 192 flats across 12 blocks.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that the return of Kashmiri Pandit families is important to preserving the region's cultural, spiritual and civilisational heritage. He said that Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and that their dignified return is a commitment to restoring historical heritage and human dignity.
The broader transit accommodation project involves 6,000 flats across 342 blocks at 20 locations in 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley. Work on the project was accelerated in 2020, and more than 5,200 sanctioned flats have been completed, with over 3,800 already allotted.
Sinha directed authorities to complete pending work without delay and ensure uninterrupted electricity, water supply, security, waste management and grievance redressal. Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works R&B) Anil Kumar Singh assured that the remaining flats would be completed by December this year.
The Prime Minister’s Package for Kashmiri Pandits was introduced by the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance government in 2008 and included 6,000 government jobs.