STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Custodian General Rajinder Singh Tara has asked the officers and officials of the Evacuee Property Department Jammu to intensify the drive against encroachers and illegal occupants of Evacuee Properties in Jammu Province.
Rajinder Singh Tara, after taking over Custodian General J&K Government, on Friday took a meeting of the officers/officials of Evacuee Property Department Jammu in his office chamber at Wazarat Road Jammu to review the functioning of the department. After threadbare discussions on the functioning of the Evacuee Property Jammu, the Custodian General emphasized that the Evacuee Property Department has been tasked with the responsibility to safeguard the Evacuee property with honesty and dedication. “As such, as and when any report of encroachment of Evacuee land is brought into the notice of the department, stern action in collaboration with Revenue/ Police Department should be taken” he said.
The Custodian General J&K also asked the Deputy Custodians to liaise with the District Administration to identify evacuee land/property which has potential for commercial purpose including other lands which may be fenced and sign boards installed to avoid any encroachment.
He further asked that the land not viable for departmental use be put to open auction through e-auction mode for which the department has already developed an e-auction portal.
Acting upon the directions of Custodian General J&K, the Evacuee Property Department Jammu through Dy. Custodian Samba has in the first instance reclaimed the possession of Evacuee Land measuring 3 kanaI Land under Khasra No. 722 alongwith structures raised thereon. As per the department the person was occupying the Evacuee Property illegally, though the land in question was leased out to him but he failed to deposit the premium fixed by the department and violated the terms and conditions of the lease.
“Ample opportunity was provided to the occupant to deposit the premium as provided under the provisions of J&K Evacuees’ (Administration of Property) Act 2006 and on failure, the action was taken in the matter.”
The Custodian General, while appreciating the action taken in the matter reiterated that the drives be undertaken by the department against the encroachers, illegal occupants and violators and may be intensified. He appealed to the general public to refrain from such acts failing which action as warranted under law will be taken against such violators which may include punishment with imprisonment in terms of Section 18 of J&K Evacuees’ (Administration of Property) Act 2006 Svt.