Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Ajaz Ahmed Khan while replying to a Calling Attention Notice of Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri informed the House that stringent provisions are already in place under the Land Revenue Act, J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act regarding conversion of Agricultural land for non-agriculture purposes.
However, keeping in view the developmental activities like construction of roads, bridges, acquisition of land for Railways and other public purposes, lot of unavoidable conversion has taken place during the last few years.
The Minister said there is a provision under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act for conversion of land for construction of residential houses up to 2 kanals without seeking prior permission from the competent authority.
Despite presence of stringent legislation, there are instances where illegal conversion of agricultural land has taken place, he added and maintained that this has mainly occurred due to non-existence of a comprehensive housing policy in the State.
He said un-authorised conversion of agricultural land is mainly taking place in and around urban areas whereas, it is less in rural areas. He added that along the National Highway, the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is due to the commercial potential of the said land, as people generally tend to adopt such activities which are more profitable.
Mr. Ajaz further said that so far as Section 28-A of the Agrarian Reforms Act is converted, the purpose of the said section is to check the alienation of land vested with the tillers under the said Act. Under the said section, it has clearly been envisaged that in case of any alienation in contravention of the provisions of the said Act, the Tehsildar (Assistant Collector Ist Class) is competent to escheat the said land to State.
He said that there are various reasons for the conversion, which include acquisition of land for various important projects of public importance like Roads, Hydro-Power Projects, Industrial Estates, Non-existence of a comprehensive housing policy, increase in the number of nuclear families, manifold increase in population, fragmentation of joint families, migration of rural population towards Urban/semi Urban areas and shifting of agricultural activity towards horticulture and other cash crops.
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