No land allotted to any firm or influential person: CM

Jammu, Mar 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday stated that no land was allotted to any firm or influential persons in the Union Territory of J&K against violation of norms.

The Chief Minister, who also holds charge of the Revenue Department, stated this while replying to a question of National Conference MLA Mir Saifullah in the Legislative Assembly.

Saifullah had asked whether it was a fact that the land was allotted to the firms or companies and influential persons in the UT of J&K during the last two years, in violation of rules and regulations by interpreting law wrongly.

Responding to this query, the Chief Minister said, “The due procedure for the allotment of land as per policy provisions in vogue, has been followed during allotments.”

NC MLA and former minister had also asked whether the land was illegally allotted to the non-residents through different modes.  As to other parts of his question, the answer was – “Not applicable.”

Mir Saifullah took exception to this answer, which he said, was a “novel practice.”

“Revenue Department is the custodian of land in J&K. I wanted to know if any land has been allotted illegally, it will be cancelled or not,”

Responding to it, the Chief Minister said, “Land has not been allotted to anyone - enlisted in your question - neither to any firm nor to any influential person…We (Revenue) give land to the Industries Department, which establishes industrial estates. Industrial estates then gives that land on lease. If you have a specific query pertaining to any specific industrialist, if you have certain apprehensions, please formulate a fresh question. Post it to the Industries Department. It will reply to your queries.”

In a supplementary to this question, another NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq asked if the government would develop the magnificent tourist attraction “Char-Chinari”, which was in dilapidated condition. “Keeping in view the restrictions posed by the High Court, whatever measures can be taken to create and improve infrastructure, the MLA can suggest the government. His suggestions will definitely be considered,” Chief Minister said.