Jammu, Aug 11 - Kashmiri Pandits are overjoyed at the announcement of 15,000 jobs for community members who migrated from the Kashmir Valley due to the threat of militancy, but many others who too had to leave their homes under similar circumstances are feeling discriminated against.

In the Jammu and Kashmir 2009-2010 budget presented to the state assembly in Srinagar Monday, the Omar Abdullah government brought good news for Kashmiri Pandits who have for long been demanding jobs.

Virender Koul, 29, who is a graduate, said the government has done something that was long overdue. 'The community has suffered a great deal,' he said, adding he had been running from pillar to post to secure a job.

'I hope the government will live up to its promise.'

More than 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits migrated from the valley, beginning in 1990, for fear of Islamic militants after the killing of some community members. They have been living in Jammu and other cities of the country ever since and have been asking the state and the central governments for employment packages for them.

Shadi Lal Kotru, a Kashmiri Pandit in his mid-30s, said while enlisting people for jobs priority should be given to those approaching 37 - the age limit for securing government jobs.