JAMMU, Apr 2 : Minister of State for Home, Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today informed the House that during the Kargil War, 1999, 6072 families in 21 villages of Niabat Khour, Tehsil, Akhnoor were relocated to safer places. For defence purposes the Army laid land mines in a large number of villages in approximately 28096 kanals of land. Temporary camps were set up by the Government at Devipur, Naiwala, Bomal and Thandi-Choi in Tehsil Akhnoor to provide shelter to these people. The affected people were also provided free ration, relief and other benefits, the Minister said. Replying to a Calling Attention Notice by the Mohammad Sharief Niaz in the House that the Minister said that when the situation normalized and the inhabitants started returning back to their homes and in order to facilitate their rehabilitation in their native places, these people were provided assistance for repair/renovation of their damaged houses, funds for the tractorization of land, purchase of household items, purchase of pair of bullock and rebuilding of infrastructure as part of rehabilitation plan. In addition, 5 marlas of land and Rs 50,000 per family was provided as part of the rehabilitation package under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, he added. To make the land cultivable, an amount @ Rs 8220 per acre was also given for tractorization of the land to the affected people, he said. Out of the total land of 28096 kanals, initially occupied by the Army, 12040 kanals of land has been returned to the owners after demining/tractorizing. The Army authorities have decided to retain 16056 kanals of land, said the Minister. The Minister said that regarding payment of rental compensation for the mined land, the Revenue Department had sent the Revenue documents, for the land measuring 24392 kanals 05 marlas, to the Defence Estates Officer, Udhampur for placing the same before the Board. The Board cleared the proposal and forwarded the revenue papers to the Defence Estates Officer, Udhampur for payment. However, the Principal Director Defence Estates raised some observations, which stands rectified by the SDM Akhnoor/Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. The case is now under consideration of Defence Estates Officer, Udhampur. The rent shall be paid to the owners once it is cleared by the Ministry of Defence, said the Minister. |
