SRINAGAR, MAY 13: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari today called for framing of a comprehensive policy over the issue of Khad Lands across the sta
te.
He said this while chairing a meet regarding revenue extract/fardi of gair mumkin khad lands. Pertinently the High court has asked the State Government to frame a policy for safety, prevention and restoration of wetlands, marshland, flood channels as well as lands recorded as Khads in the revenue records in the light of Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act- 2010.
The Minister said Khads act as natural drainage system and thus government is committed for their restoration and preservation.
The Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, who briefed the Revenue Minister through video conferencing regarding the Khad land issue in Jammu division, said all water courses and sources of water is property of government and as such gair mumkim khads have been exempted under Roshni scheme as well.
He told the Minister that due to low precipitation, span of khad lands has shrunk accordingly so constructions have come up which has changed the nature of such lands. He however said that no fardi intikhab of such land can registered under law which is mentioned as gair mumkin khad in the revenue records.
During the meeting, the Revenue Minister directed the Div Com Jammu to form a committee comprising officials of Housing & UDD, Irrigation & Flood Control, JDA, Municipal Corporation besides Chief Town planner and concerned DCs as well and carry out identification drive of such lands so that utility of such lands is known and then prepare a report which will be discussed by the government for framing of a policy over the issue.
The Minister said that the report should be clear and unambiguous so that government can assess properly the need of keeping the genuine infrastructure intact for public convenience and where need arises demolition can be carried out to restore khad lands. He said a similar process will be followed in the Kashmir province as well.
Commissioner/Secretary PWD, Housing & UDD, Secretary PHE/Irrigation & Flood Control, Additional Commissioner Kashmir, VC SDA, VC JDA, Special Secretary Revenue, Deputy Secretary Revenue and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
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