 Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 16: The nexus between some lower run officials of Revenue department and Police department has allegedly been patronizing the conversion of nearly seven Kanals of state land into commercial in Batote city.
Sources informed Early Times that a total of 7 Kanals and 13 Marlas land falling under Khasra number 330 and 331 in Ward Number 2 Sheikhpora Batote was allotted in favour of Dilawar Sheikh on 10 January 2007, solely for agriculture purposes.
"As per the same revenue law- under which state land is given to people for cultivation purposes-except from cultivation purposes, the person is not entitled to do any activity as the ownership right on the land vests with the state", sources said, adding that but in Batote same land had been converted for commercial purposes.
Sources informed that two days back, two earth movers (JCB machines) and nearly 50 labourers were engaged for erecting a wall and probably for laying foundation.
"As per law, the person has no right to do any activity other than cultivation in the state land and if there is requirement of any construction activity, just like retaining wall, only the Revenue authorities can do such activity and not the person, to whom land is allotted for cultivation", sources said, adding that but in case of Khasra number 330 and 331, construction work was started by the person.
Basement has been dug up besides construction material including Sand, Stone bricks, Bazri are also dumped there for construction of basement, sources alleged.
Alleging a nexus between lower run officials of Revenue department and police, sources said that revenue officials were aware of the matter but they kept silent due to reasons best known to them besides police was also patronizing the alleged land grabber and has been harassing the whistleblower.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Bashir Ahmed Dar said that immediately after getting the complaint he had sought a statement from the concerned Tehsildar.
"Tehsildar informed that it is state land given to a person for agriculture purposes and the person has been raising a retaining wall to stop soil erosion", he said, adding that the person could raise retaining wall but he could not convert the land for commercial purposes.
He assured that he would take a written statement from the Tehsildar and would take appropriate action. |
