Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: Financial Commissioner Revenue, Dr. Arun Kumar, in a much litigated and publicized case involving encroachment of 81 kanals and 15 marlas land falling in village Dawara, around Mahamaya City Forest area, has quashed entries fraudulently inserted in the revenue record and restored the land in favour of the Forest Department.
In addition, he has directed the encroachers to pay a fine of Rs.20,000 to the Forest Department for causing unnecessary and undue harassment resulting into wastage of precious time and resources of the State.
Financial Commissioner Revenue has also directed the Forest Department to identify forest lands which are similarly under encroachment and report the same to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for further necessary action.
Besides, all the Deputy Commissioners in the State have been directed to ensure eviction of illegal encroachers reported to by the Forest Department from such lands after following proper procedure. The officers may also seek the help of Crime Branch, J&K Police to which the matter already stands referred for investigation.
Let this case be listed after every two months on the first court day of the month for an examination of the compliance and work done by the Deputy Commissioners as well as the Forest Department”, he said.