State government has submitted a proposal to the central government to bring widows and children of deceased militants under the preview of Rehabilitation Council in the state and sought a package Rs.500 crore for their rehabilitation. Official sources informed that the proposal, which has been prepared by the social welfare department, has been submitted to the union ministry of home affairs for consideration and approval. They added that state's demand for an additional package of Rs.500 crore is in consonance with the recommendations of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's working group on the rehabilitation of kith and kin of militants. A working group constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which was headed by present vice-president Mohammed Hamid Ansari recommended "rehabilitation of the relatives and widows of the deceased militants." It said "the Government will reach out to the children, widows and parents of the deceased militants and make endeavors to provide free education to the militancy affected orphans." Sources said that the proposal has been submitted after the union government assured that it would provide the assistance being sought by the state government for the dependents of the deceased militants. Official sources who sought anonymity said that the amount would not be sufficient for the complete rehabilitation of the kith and kin of the militants who have been killed during the last 18 years. Quoting official figures, he said "there are 17600 widows and 23501 orphan children of militants across the state." However, he maintained that if a proper survey is carried, the figure could be higher. Going by the unofficial number, even a package of around Rs.1000 crore would not suffice the needs of those who have lost their only bread earner in the family, affirmed the official. He stressed that the package should be given to the state government within shortest possible time and next of kins of militants should be brought under the purview of the state rehabilitation council. The Council was set up in 1996 for rehabilitation of militancy hit victims in the State. This organisation has a governing council headed by the Chief Minister as chairman while its executive council is headed by the state Chief secretary. The District Development Commissioners are heading the district level committees of the council. Officials affirmed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to announce a package for widows and orphans during his two day long visit to Jammu and Kashmir from April 25-26. "A separate proposal has been submitted to union Ministry of Home Affairs for bringing widows and children of deceased militants under the preview of the Rehabilitation council with financial assistance from union government," said Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil. He added that the proposal includes free education, hostel facilities, financial assistance for self-employment, jobs to children and financial assistance to widows of the militants. "The dependents would be given free medical aid and other necessary facilities for living a dignified life. This would also help in bringing them into the national mainstream," added the Social Welfare minister. He maintained that the proposal has been submitted to the union government to fulfill the ninth point of Common Minimum Programme of Congress-PDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir. "We would not desist from taking measures which would help in bringing these alienated people into the national mainstream," averred Vakil. Interestingly, Head of the State Rehabilitation Council Suraya Bhatt showed complete ignorance about the proposal. "I know nothing about the proposal for the rehabilitation of the next of kins of militants. No one has consulted me on this," added Suraya. She maintained that council is helping the militancy victims and not the relatives of militants. Principal Secretary to the Social Welfare Department R.K.Jeerath's one liner was "I do not deal with the rehabilitation department." It is important to mention here that rehabilitation council is being administered by the social welfare department.