The Jammu and Kashmir government revealed that state land worth over Rs 18,000 crore (approximately 39,205 acres) is under illegal encroachment within the Union Territory. This disclosure was made by Health Minister Sakina Itoo in the Assembly, responding on behalf of the Revenue Minister.
Scale of Encroachment and Reclamation Efforts
- The total state land illegally occupied amounts to 2,15,905 acres.
- The government has reclaimed approximately 1,92,457 acres.
- Roughly 39,205 acres remain to be retrieved.
- The estimated value of the remaining encroached land is Rs 18,049.6 crore.
- Eviction processes are underway to reclaim the remaining land.
Concerns and Assurances
Legislators, particularly from the BJP, expressed serious concerns about the widespread encroachments and demanded a timeline for their removal. The Minister assured them that actions were being taken.
Land Use Conversions and Industrial Land Allotment
- Agricultural land has been converted for industrial and commercial purposes in Kathua and Samba districts.
- In Kathua, 4,729 kanals and 19.33 marlas were converted for industrial use, and 559 kanals and 18 marlas for commercial use.
- In Samba, 156 kanals and 7 marlas were converted for industrial use, and 654 kanals and 10 marlas for commercial use.
- The Revenue Department has transferred 12,260 kanals and 3 marlas of state land to the Industries and Commerce Department over the past two years for industrial estates.
- Retrieved land is being allotted to landless people, with a norm of five marlas per person, according to government policy.
