SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has revealed that over Rs 18,000 crore worth of state land is under illegal encroachment, with eviction efforts underway.
Replying on behalf of the Revenue Minister, Health Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Assembly that 17,27,241 kanals (2,15,905 acres) of state land are illegally occupied. Of this, 15,39,662 kanals (1,92,457 acres) have been reclaimed, while 13,645 kanals (39,205 acres) remain under encroachment.
BJP legislators, including Narinder Singh Raina, Rajiv Jasrotia, and R S Pathania, demanded a timeline for removing encroachments, expressing concern over the large-scale occupation of government land. The minister assured them that eviction processes have begun.
On land use conversion, Itoo said that in Kathua and Jasrota, 4,729 kanals have been converted for industrial purposes and 559 kanals for commercial use. In Samba, 156 kanals were converted for industry and 654 kanals for commercial activities.
She clarified that the Revenue Department has not transferred state land to private individuals for industrial estates. However, 12,260 kanals were allocated to the Industries and Commerce Department over the past two years.
The minister added that reclaimed land is being allotted to landless people under the five-marla policy.
