Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that over 16,000 kanals of land under the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) are currently being encroached upon, and that eviction drives are being carried out in a phased and time-bound manner.
In response to a question from BJP MLA Dr Narinder Singh Raina in the assembly, the chief minister stated that the total land managed by the JDA amounts to 80,976 kanals and 10 marlas, of which 16,127 kanals and 10 marlas are under illegal occupation.
In Jammu and Kashmir, land is traditionally measured using units like ‘kanal’ and ‘marla’, which are part of an older system still widely used in property and agriculture. One kanal is equal to 20 marlas, and a kanal measures about 5,445 square feet, while one marla is approximately 272.25 square feet (though slight variations can exist locally).
Abdullah explained that encroachments are identified through inspections conducted by field staff and records maintained by the Revenue Department.
“Eviction notices are issued under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, and regular eviction and demolition drives are conducted in coordination with the district administration and police,” the chief minister said.
He added that field inspections occur regularly to prevent new encroachments, and the eviction of illegal occupants is being implemented in a phased and time-bound manner, following statutory procedures.
Regarding details about the encroachers, including whether they are politicians, bureaucrats, private individuals, or organisations, Abdullah noted that the JDA does not maintain records categorised by these groups.
“Encroacher lists are received from the Revenue department and maintained on a land parcel-wise or location-wise basis,” he said in his response, emphasising that actions are taken strictly according to legal provisions to ensure transparency and accountability.
