Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Replying to Short Notice Question by Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah regarding development of unauthorised colonies at Pargalta (Bajalta), Minister for Planning and Development Department, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on behalf of the Forest Minister today informed the House that there was some effort to level the hills and mounds in the village Pargalta (Bajalta) by some individuals for laying out colonies but their efforts have been thwarted/stopped by the JDA and no unauthorized colony has been allowed to develop in that area.
The Minister said that an attempt of encroachment was also made by one Ghulam Rasool during last year in Social Forestry unit (VLW, Bajalta), which was timely made unsuccessful by the field staff and FIR in concerned police station was lodged and the case is sub-judice at present before Hon’ble Court of CJM Jammu.
The Minister said that most of the land involved is proprietary in nature. However, in order to ascertain as to whether any portion of State/Forest is involved or not, the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu has constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner and Tehsildar Jammu for on spot enquiry/verification, he said.
Mr Sadhotra added that no tree has been axed in the demarcated forest for the development of any such unauthorized colony. He said that JDA has stopped levelling of land by some individuals in the village Pargalta. Further, a committee for enquiring into the matter has already been constituted to verify and ascertain the ground position. Strict instructions have been issued to the subordinate Revenue/Forest Field Officers to keep close vigil on any unlawful activity. If anyone is found violating the laws, action will be taken against such violators, he maintained.