Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra on Sunday ordered framing of a House Committee to probe into the alleged nexus between revenue department and land mafia having encroached upon the drug research farm of agricultural department land in Reasi district.
The direction came from the chairman after Congress MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma said that out of the 476 kanals of land, 75 kanals was handed over to Shri Mata Vishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), while 401 kanals of remaining drug research farm land of agricultural department has been illegally encroached upon by the influential land mafia in connivance with the revenue department.
Responding to the question, the minister concerned admitted of a presence of a nexus and despite his department's repeated letters and orders issued by the DC for its vacation, no response has been had from the other side.
"We also feel that there is a nexus between revenue department and the land mafia there, and we have written many letters to the department, but the issue has been dragged under the carpet," said Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, MoS, agriculture, while replying to various supplementary raised by MLCs Devender Singh Rana, Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and GM Monga.
All MLCs were of the opinion that the agricultural minister should have lodged an FIR or the case could have been handed over to the crime branch.
{{/usCountry}}All MLCs were of the opinion that the agricultural minister should have lodged an FIR or the case could have been handed over to the crime branch.
{{/usCountry}}Rana said that since the minister himself had accepted that there was land grabbing at Katra, the chair should prevail upon for a recommendation of a House Committee.
The minister stated that SMVDSB owned 112 kanals and 9 marlas land, but as per SMVDSB records, only 75 kanals 18 marlas was under their possession as his department had approached revenue department several times for proper demarcation, but no action had been taken so far.
"Reasi DC has issued fresh orders of demarcation to ascertain details of the land to be handed over to the agriculture department," informed Gurezi.
"House Committee would be framed in this case to look into the land encroachment nexus," said the chairman.