Srinagar: Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, who recently assumed the charge of Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Friday said that land in Kashmir belongs to the people of Kashmir and that the retrieved property will only be used for their development only.
Biduri also said that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is on record to have said that the poor and small businessmen who might have raised structures on the state land will not be touched.
The Div Com assured that those exempted from the ongoing anti-encroachment drive need not to worry as the LG has made it amply clear as to who will face bulldozers and who will be spared.
“When I was Revenue Secretary, I had made it clear and LG had also assured that poor and small businessmen will not be touched. If there is assurance from the LG, there is no room for doubt. It’s understood by each and everyone, but if someone doesn’t understand it, then I cannot do anything about it,” Bidhuri said during his maiden interaction with the media on the sidelines of a sports event at Pologround Indoor Stadium here this evening.
Reiterating the LG’s statement, he said the administration will follow the direction in letter and spirit and that those exempted from the eviction drive will not be touched.
Regarding the “influential people who have encroached upon huge tracts of state land over the years”, he said the drive has essentially been launched to safeguard the interests of the common people.
“Protection of state land is our duty, and we are performing that. We are consolidating our position as of now; this land belongs to the Kashmiri people and will be used for their development only. This drive has essentially been launched for them,” he added.
Replying to a query on purported attack on a Revenue official in Srinagar, he said nothing of the sort came to his notice as of now and that he cannot comment on the issues until and unless details follow.
“I also confirmed but nothing of the sort came to fore, and I cannot comment until I have details about it,” added Bidhuri.
Regarding preparations for upcoming G20 summit, the Div Com said that work on all projects is going on at full pace and that it will be completed in a due course of time.
“Works have already been executed; people have to be little patient as they might face inconveniences during this period. The G20 summit will be organized in a very good manner once all projects are completed,” he said, adding “I congratulate the people of Srinagar for securing first position under Swachata Abhiyan.”
Regarding corruption in government offices, Div Com Kashmir said, “There are clear-cut directions from the government to the administration to bring about accountability and transparency in all departments. The only way to end corruption is to end contact points and when there are no contact points, there will be no corruption. We will make sure to introduce online services everywhere so that people won’t face any problems.
