Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 13:
The government today clarified that the land for creation of Industrial Estates was placed at the disposal of the Industries & Commerce Department by the Revenue Department, which was then allocated to the aspiring entrepreneurs as per the established policy and procedures.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, stated this while intervening in response to a supplementary question raised by Mir Saifullah regarding land allotments to firms, companies and individuals in J&K over the past two years in the Legislative Assembly.
Earlier, Health Minister, Sakeena Itoo, replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, assured the House that all land allotments have been carried out strictly in accordance with the policy provisions in place.
“Due procedure for allotment of land, as per policy provisions in vogue, has been followed during the allotments,” maintained
Over 15 lakh kanal
Sakina Itoo. The government today said that the cases of regularization of Safai Karamcharis working as casual labourers in different Urban Local Bodies of Jammu and Kashmir shall be examined through the Committee constituted for regularization of daily wagers.
Minister for Health, Sakeena Itoo, on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, was replying to a question raised by Bharat Bhushan in the Legislative Assembly.
She informed the House that 7353 Safai Karamcharis are currently working in various ULBS of J&K. She said that, of these, many have completed more than 10 to 15 years of service and work on permanent positions, while only few Safai Karamcharis are working as Casual Labourers.
The Minister said that the government has always adopted pro- labour policy within the ambit of law. The policy of regularization is under review in view of the Supreme Court Judgment in State of Karnataka V/s Uma Devi, wherein Supreme Court has laid down that any policy of regularization through executive orders, statutory orders and Legislative enactments is volatile of Article 14, 15 and 16 of Constitution of India.
She said that various protective items have been provided to sanitation workers viz, PPE Kits, Gum boots, Gloves, Masks and related stuff under the NAMASTE scheme.
Legislators; Balwant Singh Mankotia, Reyaz Ahmad Khan and Mehraj Malik raised supplementaries.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that out of total 1727241 Kanal and 8 Marla illegally occupied land, 1539662 Kanal and 15.5 Marla land has been retrieved, so far, in Kathua and Samba districts.
The Minister, who was replying on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, to a question raised by Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly.
She said that the eviction process has already been initiated as per the relevant rules for retrieval of remaining 313645 Kanal and 12 Marla land worth Rs. 18,049.6 crore from the encroachers.
Sharing details, the Minister said that the land under illegal occupation is being retrieved in Ghatti Patwar, Patwar Halqa Nanan, Forelain, Bhagthali Patwar, Taraf Bhajwal and Taraf Manjli, however, no state land has been encroached in Korepunnu village of Samba.
Regarding conversion of Agriculture land for industrial and commercial purposes, the Minister said that a total of 6098.53 Kanal of land has been converted for industrial and commercial purposes in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu. She informed the House that total conversion of Agriculture land for industrial purpose was 4729 Kanal and 19.33 Marla while 559.17 Kanal land has been converted for commercial purposes in Kathua and Jasrota areas.
Similarly, 156 Kanal and 07 Marla of Agriculture land has been converted and utilized for industrial purposes while 654 Kanal and 10 Marla for commercial purposes in Samba, she informed the House.
She informed that the Revenue Department has not transferred state land to any private individual for setting up of Industrial Estates, however, on the basis of intends placed by the Industries & Commerce Department, land measuring 12260 Kanal and 03 Marla has been transferred to Industries & Commerce Department in various districts during the past two years.
She said that the State land measuring 129 Kanal has been allotted to PMAY (G) beneficiaries on leased basis during the past two years.
Legislators; RS Pathania and Narinder Singh raised supplementaries.
