JK News Today
Jammu, 20 March: MLA Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, has taken the government to task over its failure to resolve the long-pending issue of Gair Mumkin Khad lands, despite multiple court rulings and cabinet decisions. While speaking on starred AQ No. 1106 regarding the computerization of land records, he highlighted the rich history of land settlement in Jammu & Kashmir, tracing it back to the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh when Sir Walter Lawrence, in 1889, a British civil servant, was tasked with carrying out a comprehensive land survey across the region. Even in the absence of modern technology, that settlement process was methodical and reliable, unlike the flawed and rushed implementation of the current “Meri Zameen Meri Nigrani” initiative under the Bharat Sarkar. He pointed out that due to bureaucratic haste, every village and every Patwari Halqa is now riddled with errors, leaving people helpless as discrepancies continue to pile up. To prevent further complications, he demanded a comprehensive revamp of the land records system and even suggested a new land settlement to rectify past mistakes, settle disputes between departments and individuals, and curb land grabbings and unnecessary litigations too.
In a supplementary statement, Pathania questioned the government’s reluctance to act on Gair Mumkin Khad lands despite clear judicial and administrative directives. He recalled that the issue first came under legal scrutiny in 2017, leading to the issuance of SRO-456 on September 25, 2017, which mandated the demarcation and delineation of water sources where water does not flow to prevent disputes. However, the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners failed to act on it, leaving the issue unresolved. A fresh push came with an Administrative Council decision on January 29, 2022, followed by Government Order No. 18-JK(Rev)2022 on February 4, 2022, which directed the DCs of Jammu, Kathua, and Samba to complete the process within three months. While some progress was made in clearing government land, private landowners continued to face hurdles due to shifting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines, causing further delays. In another attempt to clarify the matter, DC Jammu, in his communication dated July 6, 2021, referred to S.O. 3808(E) of 2020, issued on September 26, 2020, which explicitly stated that there was no prohibition on the usage of Gair Mumkin Khad lands. However, the administration did not take any concrete action despite this clarification.
Instead of resolving the issue, bureaucratic maneuvering further complicated matters, Revenue Deptt overruled the Lieutenant Governor’s directives and, through an order issued on March 6, 2023, introduced fresh conditions, delaying the process further while granting a nominal 15-20 day window for resolution that was never acted upon. As inaction continued, another Administrative Council decision on July 25, 2024, followed by Government Order No. 102-JK(Rev) on August 2, 2024, empowered Deputy Commissioners to clear up to 200 kanals per khasra number. However, even after seven months, no progress has been made, raising serious questions about the government’s intent and efficiency.
Pathania also criticized the administration’s flawed reliance on Section 11-A of Development Act to justify inaction. The section clearly states that “Revenue Act & no they kaw lower act shall apply to Master Plan Areas,” which means that the restriction on Gair Mumkin Khad lands while relying on Water Resources Act does not hold legal ground in areas covered under Master Plans. Despite this, no government authority has issued any order explicitly banning the sale or purchase of these lands, yet bureaucratic red tape continues to stall resolution.
Expressing concern over the magnitude of the issue, Pathania emphasized that 7 lakh kanals of Gair Mumkin Khad land in Jammu Province represents one of the largest untapped land banks. If utilized properly, this land could serve the larger public interest by creating employment opportunities, boosting development projects, and contributing to economic growth. He urged the government to shed its inertia and formulate a comprehensive policy with a fixed timeline to settle the issue once and for all. He stressed that this is not just a matter of land classification but a crucial step toward unlocking Jammu’s economic potential. “This is about jobs, growth, and the future of Jammu & Kashmir. The government must act decisively and not allow bureaucratic deadlock to stall progress,” he asserted.
