Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 21: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in a special demolition drive launched on Wednesday, cleared land measuring 25 kanals at Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu, earmarked for construction of 208, one BHK flats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) having one bedroom, lobby, kitchen and bathroom.
While clarifying on the stand of JDA, a senior official said that a tender was floated for construction of 208 EWS flats. However, the earmarked land was found having 12 dome quarters (abandoned/vacant) and 22 kiosks under illegal possession of those who were already rehabilitated at various locations such as Purkhoo, Muthi and Jagti and some have rented out to some outsiders/locals on monthly rental basis.
These structures were to be cleared for making the land available for the purpose of EWS flats. Following the due procedure adopted by the JDA for eviction of illegal possession of its property by serving notice under Section 4 of the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act 1988 on 20-01-2024, the shop keepers were requested and apprised about the project contemplated on the land for which LoI has already been issued.
After the notice. these shopkeepers represented that one-month time be given so that they shall remove their belongings to alternate places. Even some of the shopkeepers left the place for setting up their shops elsewhere, knowing fully well that due to illegitimate possession of the property they shall have to vacate the premises sooner or later.
Even some of the shopkeepers/dome quarters have themselves submitted affidavits stating that they shall vacate the JDA land by February 5, 2024.
After giving enough time (10 months) of notice, the demolition drive after following due procedure was carried out on Wednesday, all the illegal occupants were informed to vacate the possession and JDA facilitated them in safely removing all their belongings.
These kiosks and domes (One Room Tenement) were under illegal possession of a mix of encroachers from different communities including non-domicile of J&K and no caste/community-based action has been taken. Even some labourers were accommodated on monthly rental basis in some domes by these encroachers.
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