JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced on Thursday that state land valued at over ₹18,000 crore remains illegally occupied across the Union Territory, with eviction drives underway to recover it.
Speaking on behalf of the Revenue Minister, Health Minister Sakina Itoo shared these details while responding to a query from BJP legislator Rajiv Jasrotia during the Assembly’s Question Hour.
Massive Encroachment on State Land
“The total area of government land unlawfully occupied in J&K stands at 17,27,241 kanals and 8 marlas (2,15,905 acres). Out of this, authorities have successfully reclaimed 15,39,662 kanals and 15 marlas (1,92,457 acres) from illegal possession,” Itoo stated.
She further revealed that 13,645 kanals and 12 marlas (39,205 acres) are still under unauthorized control. “The estimated market value of the encroached land is ₹18,049.6 crore (3,13,645 kanals and 12 marlas),” the minister added, confirming that the process of eviction is in full swing.
Lawmakers Demand Action
Several legislators, including BJP members Narinder Singh Raina, Rajiv Jasrotia, and R.S. Pathania, raised supplementary questions in the Assembly, pressing the government for a fixed timeline to clear large-scale encroachments on public land.
Expressing serious concern over the issue, they urged swift and decisive action against land grabbers to restore government-owned properties. The minister reassured them that steps had already been initiated and that the administration remains committed to retrieving the occupied land.
Conversion of Agricultural Land for Development
Addressing land-use changes, Itoo informed the House that agricultural land in Kathua and Jasrota had been converted for industrial purposes, amounting to 4,729 kanals and 19.33 marlas, while 559 kanals and 18 marlas were designated for commercial use.
In Samba, she noted that 156 kanals and 7 marlas of farmland had been repurposed for industries, with an additional 654 kanals and 10 marlas allocated for commercial development.
No Private Transfers, Land Reserved for Industry
The minister clarified that the Revenue Department had not transferred state land to private entities for establishing industrial zones. However, she disclosed that over the past two years, the government had allocated 12,260 kanals and 3 marlas of land to the Industries and Commerce Department across multiple districts in response to official requests.
Land Redistribution Policy for the Needy
Itoo further stated that the land reclaimed from encroachers is being allotted to landless families under a structured policy, which grants five marlas per household.
