SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has extended the deadline for a crucial Central Assistance scheme designed for the one-time settlement of families displaced from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in 1947, and from the Chhamb sector during the wars of 1965 and 1971. The completion date has been pushed back from March 31, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the extension was formally notified on June 10 by an order from the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, Chandraker Bharti. This decision follows approval conveyed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, on May 25, 2026. The extension aims to provide the administration with additional time to complete the implementation of the scheme and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries who have not yet been covered receive the intended benefits.
The scheme operates within an approved financial outlay of Rs 2,000 crore, which remains unchanged. The order explicitly states that the scheme will not continue beyond the newly set final deadline of September 30, 2026. This sunset date marks the conclusive end for its implementation.
The one-time settlement initiative is a component of the Centre’s broader rehabilitation measures for families affected by the partition and subsequent conflicts. It was launched to provide financial assistance and rehabilitation support to individuals and families who were compelled to leave their homes in PoJK in 1947, and from the Chhamb region during the 1965 and 1971 wars.
Officials emphasized that the extended timeline is expected to facilitate the resolution of pending cases. This will ensure that eligible displaced families receive the benefits allocated under the rehabilitation package within the revised timeframe, addressing the administrative and logistical challenges that may have led to delays.
The scheme’s objective is to provide a measure of financial relief and a pathway to resettlement for individuals whose lives were irrevocably altered by historical events. The MHA’s approval for the extension underscores the ongoing commitment to addressing the long-standing rehabilitation needs of these specific displaced communities.
The process involves detailed verification of eligibility criteria and the disbursement of funds, which requires meticulous administrative oversight. The extension is seen as a practical step to ensure the effective utilization of the allocated funds and the fair distribution of assistance to all deserving families before the scheme is finally closed.
The government has indicated that all efforts will be made to expedite the remaining processes within the new timeframe. This includes ensuring that departmental procedures are streamlined to process applications and disburse benefits efficiently, thereby fulfilling the objectives of the rehabilitation package for the affected families.
The Chenab Times News Desk