Jammu, Apr 2: More than 16,000 kanals of land of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) are currently being encroached upon and eviction drives are being carried out in a phased and time-bound manner, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.
Speaking in the Assembly, he responded to a query by BJP MLA Dr Narinder Singh Raina by informing that the total land managed by the JDA amounts to 80,976 kanals and 10 marlas, of which 16,127 kanals and 10 marlas are under illegal occupation.
“Eviction notices are issued under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, and regular eviction and demolition drives are conducted in coordination with the district administration and police,” Abdullah said.
He said field inspections occur regularly to prevent new encroachments, and the eviction of illegal occupants is being implemented in a phased and time-bound manner, following statutory procedures.
In response to a query regarding details of the encroachers, including whether they are politicians, bureaucrats, private individuals, or organisations, the Chief Minister said the JDA does not maintain records categorised by these groups.
“Encroacher lists are received from the Revenue department and maintained on a land parcel-wise or location-wise basis,” he said in his response, emphasising that actions are taken strictly according to legal provisions to ensure transparency and accountability. (NVI)
