New Delhi, Apr 22: Defence Minister A K Antony Thursday said that 72,651acres (5.86 lakh kanals) of land are under the possession of army, air force and Navy in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the ministry will revise the rental of this land in February 2013.
Replying to a question from the National Conference MP Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri in the Rajya Sabha, the Defence Minister, however, said that no land has purchased in the state.
Giving details of the land under the possession of the armed forces in the state, the minister said that 14944 acres (1.20 lakh kanals) of land have been acquired by the defence forces, 24166 acres (1.95 lakh kanals) hired while 22725 acres (1.83 lakh kanals) is the requisitioned land.
The minister admitted that most of the hired/requisitioned land under the possession of the defence forces in the state is agricultural/orchard land. “Out of the hired/requisitioned lands, 15496 acres (1.25 lakh kanals) are agricultural lands and 396 acres (3195 kanals) are the orchard lands,” he said.
Asked whether the rates will be revised in the near future, particularly of the land under the Air Force Station at Awantipora, the minister said the rent for the acquired and requisitioned lands is revised every five years and the present rates were fixed in February 2008. He said the next revision of rent would be affected in February 2013.
In reply to another question, Antony said that 9281 acres (74895 kanals) of land have occupied by the armed forces near the Line of Control involving 283 cases. “Out of these rent to the tune of Rs 4.53 crore was paid in 210 cases involving an area of 3850 acres (31068 kanals). In the remaining 73 cases, compensation is yet to be paid mainly due to non-availability of the revenue documents from the state government,” he said.
The minister said steps are being taken to expedite release of compensation. He said that powers have been delegated to local levels so that reference to the ministry is not made. Guidelines have also been issued to complete formalities within six months.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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