SRINAGAR : Over 2710 kanals of Wakf land is under illegal occupation of Army and other paramilitary forces while 3286 kanals is under the government departments and civilians in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Yesterday in a written reply to a question by Ghulam Nabi Monga in the Legislative Counil (LA), the Minister incharge Haj and Auqaf Farooq Ahmad Andrabi said that no Wakf land is under the illegal occupation of any agency or department and individuals, including Army in the state.
Today the minister in reply to a question by Zafar Iqbal Manhas said the land measuring 96650 kanals and 13 marlas has been notified as Wakf land in the Jammu and Kashmir.He said out of which 55014 kanals and 16 marlas are in Kashmir province and 41635 kanals and 17 marlas in Jammu province.The reply said that Wakf land in possession of Auqaf is 90653 kanals and one marlas.
However, under illegal occupation of Army and other paramilitary forces is 2710 kanals and 16 marlas, the reply said adding under government departments is 896 kanals and 15 marlas and by civilians 2390 kanals and one marlas.
The minister said the matter is being actively pursued with all concerned departments and agencies to either seek regularization of the occupied land or ensure its vacation.
He said a Special Officer Auqaf (SOA) has been asked to separately identify the land under unauthorized occupation of Army, BSF, CRPF and Police so that the matter is taken up at appropriate levels for regularization or vacation.
The minister said SOA is under standing instructions to pursue with the civilians departments to either vacate the land or seek its regularisation. So far an amount of Rs 55 lakhs have been realized on account of rent, he said.
The reply said that against estimated revenue of Rs 2,86.25,800 for the year 2015-16, Rs 2,19,59,034 has been realized.
Howver, yesterday the minister in the reply had said that total income generated from wakf property during the year 2015-16 was Rs 23,28,10,000 when the expenditure during the same period was Rs 23,48,42,000. The reply said that there are 599 regular employees and consolidated 327 employees working in the wakf board.
The minister said the total number of court cases against the board pending before various courts is 42. Out of which nine are pending in High Court and 33 cases are pending before various subordinate courts.
He said 33 cases pending in subordinate courts are barred by jurisdiction. These cases are accordingly being contended and as per Jammu and Kashmir Specified Wakf and Specified Properties (Management and Regulation Amendment Act 2005.
The reply said that some of suits have been dismissed on this count as well. Howvr, nine writ petitions pending before the High Court are being pursued vigorously, he had said. (AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel