‘Govt to assess, address issues of Border, LoC fencing landowners’

Jammu, Mar 24: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Monday assured the House that the government would discuss issues affecting the border and LoC landowners, particularly those with properties within the border fencing area.
The Chief Minister, while intervening during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, stated that funds are being disbursed efficiently. Out of the Rs 155 crore received, Rs 144 crore have already been distributed among the landowners, leaving only Rs 11 crore to be released soon. While individual concerns may persist, the government is committed towards expediting the fund disbursement as efficiently as possible.
He said that the concerned department will be urged to expedite the process in this regard. “However, as one of the members pointed out, this is not merely an issue of relief but it’s a humanitarian concern. Beyond this relief, there are so many other pressing concerns affecting the people in these areas that demand our attention,” he asserted.
“I urge the members to allow the session to conclude at the earliest. Once the session ends in the first week of April, I will convene a meeting with all the members representing the border and LoC areas,” maintained the Chief Minister. We will engage in comprehensive discussions and promptly implement the necessary government actions, he added.
Earlier, replying to the main question raised by Vijay Kumar, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on behalf of Chief Minister, said that land measuring 13415 Kanal in 113 villages of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu division has been acquired by the BSF for Border fencing.
The Minister informed that an amount of Rs. 155.08 crore, as compensation, has been received by the concerned Collectors, out of which, Rs. 144.12 crore have been disbursed among the landowners and remaining amount is under process of title verification.