J&K govt extends deadline for central assistance schemes

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir govt has extended the deadline for central assistance schemes providing one-time financial support to families displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1947, those displaced from Chhamb sector during the 1965 and 1971 wars, and West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs).

The extensions were approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and notified by the J&K administration through orders issued on June 10 by J&K home department principal secretary Chandraker Bharti.

The one-time settlement scheme was launched to provide financial assistance and rehabilitation support to displaced families as part of the Centre’s broader rehabilitation measures in J&K. Officials said the extensions would help clear pending cases and ensure all eligible beneficiaries receive assistance.

Under the revised timeline, the scheme for families displaced from PoK in 1947 and from Chhamb during the 1965 and 1971 conflicts has been extended until Sept 30, 2026. The extension will be implemented within the existing rehabilitation package outlay of Rs 2,000 crore.

According to the order, MHA conveyed its approval on May 25, 2026, allowing the administration additional time to complete implementation and cover eligible beneficiaries whose cases remain pending. Govt clarified that the scheme will not continue beyond Sept 30, 2026, the final sunset date.

In a separate order, govt extended the financial assistance scheme for West Pakistani Refugee families settled in J&K from March 31, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The extension will operate within the approved outlay of Rs 317 crore. The order stipulates that the scheme will cease after March 31, 2027, the designated sunset date.