Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari today underscored the need for evolving an extensive and comprehensive strategy to safeguard and put to productive use the custodian properties in the State.
This was stated by the Minister while inspecting the pace of work on newly constructed Banquet hall at Udheywala near here.
The modern multi-facility Banquet hall has a built up area of 30890 Sft and has been constructed on custodian land at a cost of Rs 10.77 crore.
Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Mohammad Afzal, Custodian General Javed Ahmad Khan and other senior officers accompanied the Minister during his visit.
During the inspection, the Revenue Minister instructed the concerned authorities for setting up of restaurant besides a terrace garden in the Banquet hall so that people can use it for outings as well. He called for ensuring quality furnishing and furniture items in the Banquet hall to attract the people to celebrate marriages and other functions.
Stressing the need for paradigm shift from being custodian of land to development of productive assets which will fetch revenue to the department, the Minister directed the concerned officers to explore the possibility of creating state of art public utilities on custodian land in the State. He also stressed on envisaging projects to promote eco-tourism as such facilities would prove beneficial to generate huge income for the Department.
The Minister called upon the concerned functionaries to adopt pro-active approach for protecting the custodian properties across the State. He laid stress on proper utilization of custodian land and steps for improving the financial health of this important Department.
The Minister also emphasized for regular assessment of the evacuee property to ensure proper revenue realization as per the market rates. He also emphasized to ensure complete transparency in the functioning of the Department.
The Minister was apprised that Custodian Department has conceptualized to construct a commercial complex at Hyderpora, Srinagar, banquet Halls at Samba and Mandi besides hutment at Patnitop on custodian land. He was informed that in this regard the department has submitted three project proposals of Rs 95.86 crore to the Government for approval.
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