PM Package Employees Set September 30 Deadline Over Pending Transit Accommodation

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri Pandit employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package staged a peaceful protest at Press Colony here on Wednesday, demanding the early allotment of transit accommodation and a permanent solution to their housing concerns.

The protesting employees said they had been waiting for government accommodation for a prolonged period and were currently dependent on rented accommodation. They set September 30 as the deadline for the administration to address their demands, warning that they would launch an indefinite protest and hunger strike if the issue remained unresolved.

The demand comes against the backdrop of the government’s programme to construct 6,000 transit accommodation flats for Kashmiri migrant employees in the Valley. At a review meeting in March, the administration said 4,128 flats had been completed, while the remaining 1,872 were scheduled to be completed in phases, with the final 456 units targeted for completion by September.

The employees have also been raising concerns over their security. In August, the All PM Package Employees Forum sought a review of security arrangements at workplaces, residential accommodation and transit routes following the circulation of a fresh threat poster containing personal details of some employees.

The latest protest, therefore, brings together their long-pending demand for accommodation and continuing concerns over security and living conditions while serving in the Valley.

The protesters urged the administration to ensure the early allotment of completed transit accommodation and work towards a permanent housing solution for employees appointed under the rehabilitation package. (KNT)