 Ankit Kessar
Early Times Report
SUNDERBANI, Jan 11: The Revenue Department Rajouri has allegedly facilitated encroachers of Custodian land in Panchayat Ainpur of Sunderbani by making revenue entries in revenue records in the name of individuals illegally.
Sources told Early Times that there was custodian land in Panchayat Ainpur of tehsil Beri Patan of Sunderbani under Khasra No.355 which had been encroached by the people, who had constructed their residential structures on it illegally.
"There used to be a plantation nursery during 1987, which was developed by Rural Development Department Rajouri for its protection but with the passage of time, the land continued to be encroached with the help of revenue officials, who helped them in making revenue entries in their names in revenue records in lieu of corruption," they alleged.
Shockingly, the lower rung revenue officials were so liberal for the encroachers that one of the individual name Tara Chand, who had 10 kanals of land till 2016 and managed to get Girdawari of land on his name and it has been learnt that he had managed to get 6 kanals more custodian land till date making it to 16 kanals with the involvement of revenue officials. Similarly, another person Jagdish Kumar also got custodian land in his name by giving huge commission.
Deputy Custodian Officer Rajouri Mohammad Aizaz, when contacted for his comment, he informed that FIRs were lodged against the people who encroached upon the Custodian land and the officials who were incharge of the areas including Patwaris had also been asked to explain.
"The department had taken action against the encroachers in the past, but due to furious aggression of people, who pelted stones on the officials, they had to turn back," Deputy Custodian Officer Rajouri said.
Tehsildar Jitender Singh, when contacted in this connection, he admitted that encroachment has been done. He further said that the malpractice had been taking place since 1980. He informed that soon action will be taken against them.
Meanwhile, the local Sarpach and panches also expressed serious concern over the encroachment and raised finger on the concerned Partwaris who committed this scam. They said that the issue has been taken up with the Revenue Department and demanded strict action against the offenders. |
