J&K struggles to reclaim vast land holdings

Srinagar, Feb 19: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has revealed that its prized properties in New Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh are not in its hands-but under occupation. The revelation has raised questions over how assets of such huge financial value slipped out of the state’s control.
In a written reply to cut motion of Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Gani Lone, Minister in-charge Hospitality & Protocol Department said that 96 kanals of J&K are currently occupied by the Military Engineering Service under administrative control of Ministry of Defence.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Government owns a property known as “Kashmir House” spanning 114 Kanals and 11.2 Marlas at Rajaji Marg. Of this, 96 Kanals are currently occupied by the Military Engineering Wing under the Ministry of Defence (Engineer‑in‑chief) and have persistently been taken up with Estates department as well as Ministry of Defence,” the Minister’s reply states.
The Minister said that one Kanal and 11. 2 Marlas of land were successfully retrieved on June 5, 2023.
“Out of the remaining land, 01 Kanal and 11. 2 Marlas was under the unauthorized occupation and successfully retrieved on 05.06.2023. Resultantly, 18 Kanals of land is under possession of the Jammu & Kashmir Government at present and has staff quarters over it,” the minister said.
The Minister also disclosed that eight Kanals and five Marlas of land are under illegal occupation at Damai Ganj, Amritsar.
“The Government owns land measuring approximately 32 Kanals and 9 Marlas at Daimganj, Tapai Road, Amritsar, which has been subject to unauthorized occupation. Through sustained legal action and orders passed by the Hon’ble District Court, Amritsar, the Government has successfully retrieved approximately 14 Kanals and 11 Marlas from Raminder Singh Buloria and 9 Kanals and 13 Marlas from Balbir Sharma, thereby recovering substantial portions of the land,” the Minister said.
The Minister said the remaining land measuring two Kanals and 15 Marlas under occupation of Kuldip and approximately five Kanals and 10 Marlas under occupation of Raminder Pal Singh.
These two cases are presently under litigation before competent civil courts.
“Execution proceedings are ongoing, and the remaining land measuring approximately 8 Kanals and 5 Marlas is expected to be retrieved upon final adjudication, with assistance from the Revenue Department and local authorities,” the Minister’s reply reads.
The Minister said the J&K Government has initiated legal proceedings to recover 1251 Kanals of land leased out in 1960 at Haryana.
“The Government of Jammu & Kashmir owns land measuring approximately 1251 Kanals and 4 Marlas at Mangla area, District Sirsa, Haryana, which was leased out in the late 1960s to Bajwa Brothers. Due to violation of lease conditions, particularly non-payment of lease rent, the Government initiated legal proceedings before the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court to enforce its ownership rights and secure recovery of possession. The matter is at the final argument stage,” reads the reply. (KNO)