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| J&K Govt defends illegal land conversions for non-agricultural purposes | | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Mar 19: Jammu and Kashmir Government today outrightly defended illegal conversion of agriculture land for non-agricultural purposes. Minister of State for Revenue Aijaz Ahmed Khan not only vehemently defended alleged illegal conversion but justified the same on the grounds of increasing population and needs arising due to massive infrastructure development all over the State. Minister was seemingly enraged over NC MLC Dr. Basheer Veeri displaying photographs of illegal land conversions.
Veeri was even seemingly snubbed by his colleague in Upper House Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardhy. Chairing the session, Suhrawardhy did not speak a word about seriousness of issue of alleged illegal land conversions on both sides of the National Highway from Qazigund to Srinagar but quizzed Veeri about not raising the issue of Brick kilns. But Veeri stood ground and did not mince words while saying that Revenue Department instead of looking at his concern, appears to be annoyed with the issue having been raised in the Legislative Council.
An irked Minister said that he had given detailed reply to the concerned MLC but was not allowed to read the same. "He delivered a long speech and said what I was supposed to talk about. Even I can deliver a speech over this issue," said Aijaz in an irritating tone. He then went on to justify the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land.
But the Minister's comment that Veeri should seek half-an-hour discussion on this issue, resulted in chair asking member to give notice for the same. Veeri did not miss the opportunity and agreed. Earlier, Khan agreed that despite presence of stringent legislation, there are instances where illegal conversion of agricultural land has taken place. He maintained that this has mainly occurred due to non-existence of comprehensive housing policy in the State. He fantastically said that as and when such a policy comes into force, such instances will automatically get checked. He said that the un-authorized conversion of agricultural land, is mainly taking place in and around urban areas and its sub-urbs, whereas it is nominal in rural areas. He added that along the National Highway, the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is due to the commercial potential of the said land, as people generally tend to adopt such activities which are more profitable.
However, as compared to the quantum of agricultural land which has been acquired for various public purposes throughout the State the conversion for a private purpose is much less, he said. Minister said that good quantum of agricultural land has been converted for non-agricultural purposes while adding that all such conversions are not illegal because in a number of cases, permissions have been obtained from competent authority for such conversions. Minister said that there are various reasons for the conversion, which include acquisition of land for various important projects of public importance like Roads, Hydro-Power Projects, Industrial Estates, Non-existence of a comprehensive housing policy, increase in the number of nuclear families, manifold increase in population, fragmentation of joint families, migration of rural population towards Urban/semi Urban areas and shifting of agricultural activity towards horticulture and other cash crops.
He said that instructions have been issued to all the revenue field agencies to ensure implementation of all the land laws in letter and spirit, so that illegal conversion of agricultural land does not take place. Ajaz further said that so far as section 28-A of the Agrarian Reforms Act is converted, the purpose of the said section is to check the alienation of land vested with the tillers under the said Act.
Under the said section, it has clearly been envisaged that in case of any alienation in contravention of the provisions of the said Act, the Tehsildar (Assistant Collector Ist Class) is competent to escheat the said land to State, he said maintaining that in order to ensure that illegal conversion does not take place the instructions stand already issued to all the revenue field agencies to implement the land laws in letter and spirit and serious efforts are being made to check the illegal conversion of agricultural land to the maximum possible extent. |
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