Lok Sabha Starred Question no 213 -Repealing of Article 370

Lok Sabha Starred Question no 213 -Repealing of Article 370

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 213

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6TH AUGUST, 2024/ SHRAVAN 15, 1946 (SAKA)

REPEALING OF ARTICLE 370

213 SHRI VIVEK THAKUR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether several sections of the society such as refugees from West Pakistan and people displaced from the PoK remained deprived of their fundamental rights prior to repealing of Article 370; and

(b) if so, the benefits extended to the said sections of the society post repealing of Article 370?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the table of the house.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 213 FOR ANSWER ON 6TH AUGUST, 2024 RAISED BY SHRI VIVEK THAKUR REGARDING REPEALING OF ARTICLE 370

(a): Before abrogation of Article 370, certain sections of the society of Jammu and Kashmir including West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs) who migrated from West Punjab of Pakistan in 1947 and their descendants having been considered as non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and were denied full rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. As a result, they did not have the right to own property, employment by the State Government and right to cast vote in the legislative assembly and local body elections of Jammu and Kashmir. However, Displaced Persons of Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were considered as
permanent residents of J&K.

(b): After abrogation of Article 370, all rights enshrined in the Constitution of India, including right to own property, employment under the UT Government and right to cast vote in the legislative assembly and local body elections of Jammu and Kashmir are now available to the then non-permanent residents such as West Pakistani Refugees, Valmiki community and Safai-karmacharis based on their eligibility.