JAMMU, Aug 27: : A delegation of the J&K Jat Sabha, representing farmers, refugees and landholders of Jammu Division, today met Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking immediate intervention into the alleged arbitrary inclusion of protected agricultural and rehabilitation land in the proposed e-auction by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).
The delegation strongly objected to the proposed auction of Plot No. 3 and the plot at S. No. 4, measuring approximately 1 Kanal and 17 Marlas at Channi Rama, claimed by Raj Kumar, son of Kasturi Lal, resident of Channi Rama.
The Sabha stated that the land was allotted to the family for rehabilitation under Cabinet Order No. 578-C of 1954, with rights subsequently confirmed under Order 371 of 1971, including Section 16, and reflected in the relevant revenue records/Girdawari of 1971.
According to the memorandum, the land and rights of the allottee are further claimed to have been protected under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, making the proposed auction a matter requiring immediate scrutiny and verification by the Revenue Department before any further proceedings.
The Sabha pointed out that the affected family had already submitted a representation dated 16 July 2026 to the Vice Chairman, JDA, requesting verification of the revenue and ownership records before the land was put up for auction. The Sabha alleged that despite the seriousness of the issue, the request was not acted upon.
on the occasion, Manjit Singh, Former Minister and President, J&K Jat Sabha, warned that the Sabha would be compelled to launch an agitation if the disputed land was not immediately removed from the auction process and the revenue records properly verified.
Manjit Singh also urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the Chairman of the JDA, to intervene personally in the matter and ensure that no protected rehabilitation or agricultural land is auctioned without first establishing its legal and revenue status.
He stressed that the 1971 order was intended as a safeguard for the rights of the allottees, and alleged that the present issue has arisen because the relevant protections and revenue records have not been properly taken into account by the JDA.
He further said that if there is an error in the land records, the administration should rectify the revenue record through due process instead of proceeding with an auction.
The Jat Sabha maintained that the Channi Rama case should not be viewed as an isolated dispute. If land allotted under rehabilitation orders and protected under applicable agrarian laws can be included in an auction without prior revenue verification, it could create insecurity among similarly placed farmers, refugees and landholders across Jammu Division.
The Sabha demanded that the Divisional Commissioner constitute a Revenue Commission/verification team to examine all relevant records concerning the disputed plots, conduct an on-the-spot verification and establish the actual status of the land before any further action by JDA.
The delegation further demanded that JDA immediately withdraw the disputed plots from the proposed e-auction and keep all proceedings in abeyance until the revenue verification process is completed.
The Sabha also sought general directions that no land covered by Cabinet Order No. 578-C of 1954, Order 371 of 1971, or protected under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act be auctioned without prior verification by the Revenue Department.
The memorandum also called for an inquiry into the conduct of the concerned JDA officials, particularly over the allegation that the family’s request for revenue verification was ignored. The Sabha further sought examination of any alleged violation of directions/orders of the Hon’ble High Court in matters concerning such protected land.
The Jat Sabha urged the administration to direct JDA not to initiate any coercive action against allottees covered by these orders and laws until the policy and legal position is clearly examined and settled.
The Sabha maintained that the matter concerns not merely one family but the security of land rights and protection of legitimate interests of farming and refugee communities across Jammu Division.
The organisation warned that any attempt to dispose of land without first establishing its legal and revenue status could lead to unnecessary conflict, hardship and prolonged litigation.
The delegation asserted that revenue records, rehabilitation rights and statutory protections cannot be ignored merely because a parcel of land has been listed for auction, and demanded that the administration act before any irreversible step is taken.
The delegation was led by Manjit Singh, Former Minister and President, J&K Jat Sabha, and accompanied by Sukhnandan Choudhary, Former Minister & Senior Vice President, J&K Jat Sabha; Taranjit Singh Tony, Former DDC & Senior Vice President, J&K Jat Sabha; Dawarka Choudhary, Jammu District President, J&K Jat Sabha; and Jarnail Choudhary, Spokesperson, J&K Jat Sabha.
The delegation apprised Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar of the concerns and sought immediate intervention, verification of revenue records and protection of the rights of genuine allottees.
The J&K Jat Sabha expressed confidence that the Divisional Commissioner would take immediate and impartial action and ensure that the matter is examined on the basis of revenue records and applicable legal provisions.
“This is not merely a question of one plot or one family. It is a question of whether legally protected land rights will be respected before government agencies proceed with an auction. We will strongly pursue the matter until the records are verified and the rights of genuine allottees are protected,” the Sabha said.
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