Srinagar, Sep 24: With several state assets having key economic potential lying under possession of different government and non-government authorities outside Jammu and Kashmir, an official panel has recommended that state government should stake claim on the property under the constitutional provisions.
 In its report submitted to the JK government the State Finance Commission has observed that among various physical assets of the state one of the important properties is the Kashmir house at Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, presently in possession of Ministry of Defense. “It and other assets need to be re-claimed under the constitutional provisions so as to enable the state to avail its rental benefits,” the report mentions.
 About JK House 5, Prithvi Raj Road, New Delhi, the panel report says it was originally acquired to house the JK Government Arts Emporium and subsequently it was partly utilized as guest house for the government officials.
 “Unfortunately, citing security reasons, the emporium was closed causing a grievous set back to the (Kashmir) handicraft and handloom industry. This is a very prestigious place for showcasing the JK Arts and Crafts to world famous dignitaries,” the report observes.
 The commission has recommended that J&K arts emporium shall be re-started at 5, Prithvi Raj Road.
 The Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg, comprising about 100 residential flats besides several kanals of land, is currently under the possession of defense authorities.
 Off late, the state government has reportedly succeeded in retrieving 11 kanals of land from Army. The whole land in question belonged to former Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and had a palace on it. Though several regimes have over the years asserted to reclaim the property there has been no change on the ground.
 Sources said state property by the name of the Kashmir House is also lying defunct in Rawalpindi Pakistan after partition in 1947.
 “The authorities from state’s finance ministry prior to 1947 used to stay put there. Negotiations can be started through Indo-Pak talks to stake claim over it,” sources said.
 Noted Economist Prof Nissar Ali who was the member of the SFC, said there are different immovable properties of JK lying in different states outside. “These are all assets of pre-47 JK state. They could be made use of revenue generating assets and to that extent state government should negotiate with the outside governments,” Prof Ali said.  Officials said State Road Transport Corporation has assets worth over Rs 300 crore lying defunct in New Delhi. Besides they said there is some minor state property lying on Malbar Hills in Mumbai- a major part of it was sold during the then NC regime.
 “J&K has huge assets at extreme prime location at Rajaji Marg. State should negotiate with Government of India for rent on the property or identical property at some different locations so that the same can be used as revenue generating assets,” said the official wishing anonymity.
 Another official said under article 370 JK should re-claim the property in different outside states.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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