SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has acquired land in New Delhi and Chandigarh to address the accommodation shortage for residents visiting these cities, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Responding to a question by legislator Tanvir Sadiq regarding the lack of accommodation following the transfer of Jammu and Kashmir House in New Delhi to the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Chief Minister stated that a significant portion of the Guest House at Chanakyapuri has been allocated to Ladakh, leaving limited space for visitors from J and K.
To tackle this issue, the government has secured a 3,179.58-square-metre plot in Dwarka, New Delhi, from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on a perpetual lease. A new JK Bhawan complex will be constructed at Plot No. 3, Sector-19, Phase-1, Dwarka, chosen for its accessibility and proximity to other state bhawans.
Regarding Chandigarh, Abdullah informed the House that J and K owns a property in Sector-17, which will be modified after obtaining the necessary permissions. He assured that special arrangements will be made to provide accommodation for patients travelling to Chandigarh for medical treatment.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the new buildings will reflect J&K’s architectural heritage and offer traditional Kashmiri cuisine. Additionally, more locals from J&K will be employed in these establishments.
On concerns regarding asset distribution after the reorganisation of J&K in 2019, Abdullah clarified that the apportionment of assets between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was carried out as per the recommendations of an Advisory Committee under Section 85 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and a committee formed under Government Order No. 1011-GAD of 2019. He further stated that the Central Government’s Apportionment of Assets & Liabilities Committee played a key role in the process.
Additionally, the government is exploring possibilities to create additional accommodation at 5 Prithviraj Road, New Delhi to further ease the accommodation crisis.
The Chief Minister also revealed that the government had successfully retrieved a prime property at Kashmir House, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, which was under unauthorised occupation. The one kanal and 11.2 marlas property was illegally occupied by individuals not authorised by the Estates Office, Resident Commission, New Delhi.
“As per Section 5(1) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, the illegal occupants have been evicted, and the property is now under the possession of the Resident Commission, J&K,” Abdullah stated.
