JAMMU: The multi-crore land scam in Channi Himmat Housing Colony, took a new twist on Tuesday when it was revealed that the Master Plan envisaged no commercial activity to be undertaken over the reclaimed land of the Thanger Nallah.
In a report, submitted to Deputy Commissioner Jammu Ajeet Kumar Sahu, the Tehsildar Bahu has submitted that in the site map of Channi Himmat, duly prepared by the J&K Housing Board, a road is shown on either side of Nallah and nowhere is any mention of any commercial activity to be undertaken on the reclaimed land.
According to official sources, the total area of Nallah in village Channi Himmat is 70 Kanals and 3 Marlas under Khasra No 165 and 51 Kanals and 12 Marlas under Khasra No 247. Of this J&K Housing Board has acquired 52 Kanals and 9 Marlas under Khasra No 165 and over 49 Kanals under Khasra No 247.
The Tehsildar Bahu has opined that if the reclaimed land on either side of the Thanger Nallah is declared as green patch, it will create an eco-friendly atmosphere for the residents of the colony.
Countering the report, Managing Director, J&K Housing Board Shafiq Ahmed Raina told STATE TIMES that the shop sites over the reclaimed land have been auctioned after adhering to proper procedure and norms. He said this does not construe any violation of the Master Plan and clarified that the reclaimed land belongs to the Board. “However, the delay in construction of shops could be due to certain works taken up by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA)”, he added
It may be recalled that Deputy Commissioner Jammu had directed Tehsildar (Bahu) to submit status report in the multi-crore land scam after Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh along with senior officers inspected the Channi-Himmat Housing Colony. The locals had alleged brazen loot of green strip of land by the J&K Housing Board and held protests. They accused the officials of selling green strip for commercial purposes in violation of the Master Plan.