Jammu, Feb 19 (NationPress) The government of Jammu and Kashmir stated on Thursday that its valuable properties in New Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh are currently beyond its control and are occupied by third parties.

This information emerged in a formal response to a cut motion raised by MLA Sajad Gani Lone.

The revelation has sparked concerns regarding how such high-value assets became inaccessible to the J&K government.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also the Minister overseeing the Hospitality and Protocol Department, confirmed that 96 kanals of government land is presently held by the Military Engineering Service, which falls under the Ministry of Defence.

According to the Minister's statement, the J&K government possesses a property named “Kashmir House” located at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, covering an area of 114 Kanals and 11.2 Marlas. Of this, 96 Kanals are under the control of the Military Engineering Wing associated with the Ministry of Defence, and the matter has been consistently raised with both the Estates Department and the Ministry of Defence.

The Minister also noted that one Kanal and 11.2 Marlas of land were successfully reclaimed on June 5, 2023.

“After retrieving one Kanal and 11.2 Marlas, the government now possesses 18 Kanals of land, which includes staff quarters,” the Minister explained.

Furthermore, the Minister revealed that eight Kanals and five Marlas of land are illegally occupied in Dam Gunj, Amritsar.

“The government owns around 32 Kanals and 9 Marlas in Dam Gunj, Tapai Road, Amritsar, which has been unlawfully occupied. Due to persistent legal efforts and court orders from the Hon’ble District Court of Amritsar, the government has successfully regained approximately 14 Kanals and 11 Marlas from Raminder Singh Buloria and 9 Kanals and 13 Marlas from Balbir Sharma, thereby recovering significant portions of the land,” the Minister stated.

He further mentioned that two Kanals and 15 Marlas are occupied by an individual named Kuldip, while about five Kanals and 10 Marlas are held by Raminder Pal Singh.

These matters are currently in litigation in the competent civil courts.

“Execution proceedings are in progress, and we expect to reclaim the remaining land, approximately 8 Kanals and 5 Marlas, following final rulings, with help from the Revenue Department and local authorities,” the Minister added.

The J&K government has also initiated legal action to recover 1,251 Kanals of land that was leased out in 1960 in Haryana.

“The government owns roughly 1,251 Kanals and four Marlas in the Mangla area, District Sirsa, Haryana, which was leased in the late 1960s to Bajwa Brothers. Owing to violations of lease conditions, particularly the non-payment of lease rent, the government has commenced legal proceedings in the esteemed Punjab and Haryana High Court to assert its ownership rights and reclaim possession. The case is currently in the final argument phase,” the Minister concluded.