Not the first time; Kashmiri Pandits were provided houses under the previous governments too. - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 10, 2019
A post is being shared on Facebook by many people claiming that Modi has provided houses for Kashmiri Pandits so that they can return to their homes finally after 30 years. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.
PM Modi to inaugurate transit colony in Ganderbal. Kashmir pandits to return home after 30 years.
Fact: This is not the first time that Kashmiri Pandits were provided transit homes in the state. Flats & transit homes were also constructed under the previous governments. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING
When searched for the information on transit homes for Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, the information provided by Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, MoS in the Home Ministry, to the Lok Sabha can be found in the search results. He provided that answer on 8 Feb 2015 to an unstarred question on Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. According to that answer, houses for migrants were constructed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir under various packages allotted to the state:
Package 1: 2004
“Under Prime Minister’s Package 2004, 5242 two-room
tenements have been constructed in Jammu at four locations (Purkhoo,
Muthi, Nagrota and Jagti) and have been allotted to the migrants. Further, 200
flats have been constructed at Sheikhpora in Budgam district (Kashmir
Valley) and have been allotted to the migrants on sharing basis, who have
joined the State Government service under the employment component of Prime
Minister’s Package 2008. Out of these 200 flats, 31 flats have also been
allotted to the local migrants who migrated from their native places to other
places within the Kashmir Valley.”
Package 2: 2008
“A Comprehensive Package amounting to Rs.1618.40 crore was
announced by the Government in 2008 for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri
Migrants, which provided for many comprehensive facilities for the migrants
e.g. provision of 3000 state government jobs, financial assistance for
purchase/ construction of houses, construction of transit accommodations,
continuation of cash relief to migrants, scholarship to students, assistance
for self-employment, assistance to the agriculturists and the horticulturist, waiver
of interest on unpaid loan, etc. The Package is being implemented by the State
Government of Jammu and Kashmir. So far state government jobs have been offered
to 1963 migrant youths, out of which 1597 have joined. 469 Transit
accommodations have been constructed in the Kashmir Valley and allotted to
the newly appointed migrant employees under the Package and one family has
availed the benefit of Rs.7.5 Lakh for construction of house in the Kashmir
Valley.”
Package 3: 2015
“Government of India has approved another package, on 18th
November 2015, involving an estimated expenditure of Rs.2000 Crore for
providing additional 3000 state government jobs to the Kashmiri migrants and
construction of transit accommodations in the Kashmir Valley for the Kashmiri
migrants to whom state government jobs have been provided/ will be provided.”
From the above information provided by the minister, it can be concluded that this is not the first time where Kashmiri Pandits are being given homes in the Kashmir valley.
According to the latest information available, the foundation stone was laid for the Ganderbal transit accommodation by PM Modi on 3 Feb, 2019. Also, Ganderbal project was part of the rehabilitation package announced in 2008 by the Congress government
To sum it up,  this is not the first time that Kashmiri Pandits were provided houses in the Kashmir valley. It happened during the previous governments too.