rajesh tandon
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 13: The Revenue Department Mendhar has allegedly allotted forest land for industrial use in violation of Forest Act.
The documents in possession of Early times reveals that the Forest Department had received a complaint on 04-03-2021 regarding illegal construction on demarcated forest land in khasra No. 313 in Co.167/M Village Bera, Salwah Beat of Salwah Forest Block, Mendhar.
Acting on the complaint, the Forest field staff immediately responded and stopped the work. Forest field staff informed them that land is forest land and requested them to submit requisite documents for further perusal under rule. The interested parties have informed that construction work of industry compound wall is being sanctioned on this khasra no. 313. Field staff has clearly directed interested parties not to start any construction in violation of forest act before settlement of issue of status of land.
Despite clear information, interested parties again started construction activity on 05-03-2021 on demarcated forest land in khasra No. 313. Local public has immediately made a complaint to forest staff regarding illegal construction on forest land. In this regard on the direction of Mohan Choudhary IFS Divisional Forest Officer Poonch, Range officer Mendhar along with other forest field staff and concerned Naib Tehsildar Mendhar rushed to spot for verification of status of land in light of records.
Interested parties have been again trying forcefully to start the construction work of industry compound wall of above said forest area by engaging JCB machine. Even the local public also showed resentment against the contractor and revenue department for illegally allotting forest land.
Regarding status of land, in revenue records, latha/Aks of khasra no. 313 area measuring 153 kanal village Bera clearly showing forest demarcation boundary line & recorded as Ghair-Mumkin Jaar in RoR 1961-62. Demarcation file of forest also shows land is forest land and forest demarcation Boundary pillar number 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 & 12 are passing through khasra no. 313, which matches with Aks/Tatima of the revenue department.
However surprisingly, RoR 1961-62 khasra no. 313 is recorded as Sarkar, maqbooja mehkama-maal with kism as Ghair-Mumkin Jaad with latha/Aks showing clearly demarcated forest with red boundary line passing through said khasra. When discussed with rtd. revenue officer, they said that it seems either RoR has been tempered or mistakenly it has been mentioned as mehkama-maal with kism as Ghair-Mumkin Jaad because mehkama-maal entry comes for such area for revenue offices or muhafis khana etc. only. There is no official purpose of mehkama-maal with kism of land as Ghair-Mumkin Jaad.
Tehsildar Mendhar reported that in this matter he has submitted his report to higher authorities, they have to decide in this matter. |
