Jammu, February 17, 2026 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday categorically stated that no land belonging to Kashmiri migrants has been acquired in the Valley in violation of prescribed legal procedures, asserting that all acquisitions, wherever undertaken, strictly follow due process of law.
Replying to a starred question raised by CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami in the Legislative Assembly, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said that official records confirm full compliance with land acquisition laws.
Quoting the report of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Choudhary said that prior notification, verification and assessment under applicable land acquisition laws are mandatory, and no deviation has been found in cases involving migrant land.
PM Package Employees & Service Protection
Addressing concerns over a June 2022 government order related to nearly 6,000 employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Special Package for Kashmiri Pandits, the Deputy CM clarified that the order does not undermine their service interests, but rather strengthens and safeguards them.
He explained that recruitment under the package is governed by the J&K Migrants (Special Drive) Recruitment Rules, 2009, with 6,000 supernumerary posts sanctioned in 2009 and 2017. While these provisions dealt with entry into service, the growing number of appointees necessitated a structured service-management framework.
Accordingly, the 2022 order was issued to regulate seniority, cadre management, postings and career progression, ensuring PM Package employees are not disadvantaged vis-à-vis regular employees. He asserted there is no inconsistency between earlier orders and the 2022 directive.
Choudhary further informed the House that proposals for service improvements and possible absorption into regular cadres are under active consideration by the General Administration Department and the Finance Department.
Migrant Registration & Verification
On delays in provisional registration of Kashmiri migrants, the Deputy CM said that on July 12, 2023, the administration decided that fresh registrations on security grounds were no longer justified due to improved law and order conditions in the Valley, and that no further extensions would be granted.
However, a screening committee reconstituted in May 2024 has examined all pending cases. Of 1,263 cases, reports from CID/District Magistrates are awaited in only 75 cases, which will be decided promptly upon receipt.
He clarified that the verification process involves security and threat-perception assessment, making it detailed and procedural, not delayed.
Concerns Raised by Tarigami
In his supplementary, Tarigami termed the 2022 order as “highly discriminatory”, though he welcomed the government’s willingness to review it. He also urged the government to revise relief for migrant pensioners, stating that the structure fixed in 2018 has failed to keep pace with inflation.
Raising the issue of political migrants, Tarigami stressed that migration was forced by circumstances, not voluntary, and appealed for a humanitarian review of all cases, questioning prolonged verification timelines.
Government’s Stand
Rejecting allegations of discrimination, the Deputy CM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to justice for all migrants, describing migration as “unfortunate” while noting that verification has revealed both genuine and non-genuine cases.
He reiterated that the administration remains focused on fairness, legality and humanitarian considerations in addressing migrant-related issues across Jammu and Kashmir.
