JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
Large-scale encroachment on government land has been uncovered in Jammu and Kashmir. According to official data, a total of 17,27,246.5 kanals of government land has been recorded as illegally occupied in the Union Territory. Of these, approximately 14 lakh kanals are encroached in the Jammu division and over 3.27 lakh kanals in the Kashmir division. The administration has initiated the process of expunging the relevant entries from revenue records.
A total of 1,00,06,163.9 kanals of government land is available in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the government, encroachment entries are being removed and action is ongoing in a phased manner.
Situation in Kashmir Division
A total of 16,54,709.9 kanals of government land is registered in the Kashmir Division, of which 3,27,198.5 kanals have been found encroached.
According to district-wise data:
81,327.65 kanals in Baramulla District
52,698.1 kanals in Kupwara District
42,730.8 kanals in Pulwama District
36,984 kanals in Anantnag District
13,862.95 kanals of land are registered encroached in Srinagar District.
Baramulla District leads in the Kashmir Division.
Situation in Jammu Division
Out of a total of 83,51,454 kanals (61 marlas) of government land in the Jammu Division, 14,00,048 kanals (65 marlas) have been found encroached.
The district-wise status is as follows:
Rajouri District – 273,848 Kanals 12 Marlas
Reasi District – 226,857 Kanals 6 Marlas
Ramban District – 173,832 Kanals
Jammu District – 145,487 Kanals 6 Marlas
Kathua District – 130,403 Kanals 1.5 Marlas
Rajouri District tops the list of encroachment cases in the Jammu division.
Land Transfers after 2019
Since 2019, 68,190 Kanals 19 Marlas of land was transferred to UT government departments without transfer value. Additionally, 7,495 Kanals 10 Marlas of land was transferred to central departments, yielding a transfer value of ₹10,506.75 lakh as per stamp duty rates.
The Administrative Council, Revenue Department, Divisional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner have been empowered to transfer land within prescribed limits.
This issue of encroachment on government land has posed a significant challenge for the administration. The government has initiated the process of correcting records, but all eyes are on the actual removal process and its outcome.
