Centre backs J&K govt's decision to give identity papers to refugees from Pakistan

 Centre backs J&K govt's decision to give identity papers to refugees from Pakistan  The Centre has backed the Jammu and Kashmir government's move to give identity certificates to West Pakistan refugees in face of opposition by separatists and other political forces. Both the Centre and State governments have strongly contended the naysayers' claim that the move has any ulterior motive.

It's lone purpose is to ensure the West Pakistan refugees have an added source of livelihood by becoming eligible for central government jobs. Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh has said that the refugees also need a dignified livelihood.

The state government has clarified that the main purpose for the decision was to enable the refugees to apply for central government jobs. 

It has further condemned false and contrived impression that is being created regarding the same and said that such reports are deliberately being circulated to destabilize the situation. 

Politics is also gaining momentum even as the state govt. is trying to explain the real objective of the exercise. 

While BJP has also come out in support of the decision, congress is questioning the manner in which the decision was taken. 

At the same time the West Pakistan Refugees have sought to highlight the difficult conditions in which they have been trying to sustain themselves in challenging circumstances. 

The Kashmiri Pandits have also come out in support for the legitimate demands of the West Pakistan refugees. The refugees who settled in Jammu and Kashmir, in the aftermath of the partition of the subcontinent from West Pakistan are not entitled to permanent residence as they are not the domiciles of the state. 

Given their present status, they are entitled to vote in the Parliament elections, but can't exercise their franchise in the state assembly polls. They can't apply for any job within the State, because of being non-state subjects. 

The state government order to issue them Identity Certificates is to facilitate them to get jobs in paramilitary forces and other central government establishments. 

However, they will continue to be the non-state subjects.