Industry in the grip of encroachment: Government fails to clear 522 kanals of land even after 10 yearsJNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu522 kanals of government land earmarked for industrial development in the Bari Brahmana area of Jammu remains encroached even after a decade. Despite the issue being raised in the Assembly, the ground reality is that the government and administration have yet to secure possession of the entire land.In 2016, this land near the Balol Bridge was earmarked as Phase 2 of the Bari Brahmana Industrial Area. Plots were allotted to entrepreneurs, but the project remained in limbo due to most of the land being already occupied.Despite the government handing over 236 kanals (10 marlas) of land to CIDCO in 2023, actual possession has been obtained for only 86 kanals (10 marlas). Only 37 industrial units have been established on this land so far, while the remaining land remains encroached.In a written response to a question in the Assembly, the government admitted that despite numerous meetings and efforts, the Samba district administration has not been successful in removing encroachments. The Industry Department last raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner on June 24, 2025.Local businesses say that many entrepreneurs deposited money for plots years ago, but have yet to receive their land. They allege that administrative efforts stalled after initial action.The big question now is: will industrial development in Jammu remain entangled in the wall of encroachment, or will the administration be able to find a concrete solution?
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Previous article![]( "Delimitation of Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir postponed for the time being, decision not to be made until the census is completedJNM journalist Hardeep, JammuThe speculation surrounding the delimitation of Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir has been put to rest. The state government has clarified that no delimitation of Panchayat circles will be carried out before the completion of the 2021 census.During the Assembly Question Hour, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Javed Ahmed Dar categorically stated that the government currently has no delimitation proposal under consideration. He stated that changes to Panchayat boundaries are not possible until official census data is available.The minister also informed that the boundaries of administrative units have already been frozen for a specified period, so the delimitation process cannot be legally advanced.It is noteworthy that there are currently 4,293 Panchayat circles in the state, of which 2,111 fall in the Jammu division and 2,182 in the Kashmir division. Panchayat elections are pending since January 2024, and the term of the District Development Councils is also nearing its end.The government maintains that delimitation will be carried out strictly on the basis of accurate population data and in accordance with the rules, ensuring a fair and balanced distribution of resources.")
