Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 3: Government today said that over 40,000 kanals State/Nazool land was under unauthorized occupation of various individuals/entities in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
In a written reply to the question of CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation said that State/Nazool land measuring 38302 kanals and three marlas is under unauthorized occupation in Srinagar city and 2384 kanals and 15 marlas in Jammu city.
About the reasons for failure and insensitiveness on its part to retrieve the land from the illegal occupants despite repeated assurances in the House, the Minister said that in respect of Srinagar city the drive for removal was going on in full swing and so far 5313 kanals and 9 marlas of land has been retrieved from the illegal encroachers.
Similarly, necessary steps were being made to retrieve the State land from occupants in Jammu city, the Minister said. He, however, added that most of the State land within JMC area belongs to JDA.
He informed the House that in district Srinagar, the ownership rights have been approved to 291 cases (469) persons in respect of land measuring 496 kanals and 10 marlas for an amount of Rs 1,04,98,31,847 under the Provisions of J&K State Land (Vesting of Ownership Rights to the Occupants) Act, 2001.
“The mutations have been attested in respect of land measuring 235 kanals and 8 marlas and an amount of Rs 52,17,21,496 has been realized from them”, he further said, adding in respect of Jammu city an area of State/Nazool land measuring 314 kanals and 19 marlas has been approved by the District Price Fixation Committee for vesting of ownership rights under Roshni Scheme for an amount of Rs 171.81 crore against which the occupants have deposited an amount of Rs 15.17 crore only.
About the extending of date for applying for vesting of ownership rights under Roshni Act, the Minister said, “no such decision has been taken”.