Srinagar, Dec 29: The Jammu & Kashmir government has directed district collectors that they shall not grant permission for conversion of land more than twelve and a half standard acres (12 1/2) in accordance with the procedure notified by the Revenue Board.

In an order,  the government has directed district collectors that while exercising powers under The Land Revenue Act, they shall not grant permission for conversion of land more than 12 ½ acres.

“…………In exercise of the powers conferred by section 141 of Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996, the Government hereby directs that the district collector while exercising powers under section 133A of the Act shall not grant permission for conversion of land more than twelve and a half standard acres in accordance with the procedure notified by the Board in this behalf,” reads an order issued by commissioner secretary, Revenue department, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.

Under section 133-A of The Land Revenue Act, no land used for agricultural purposes shall be used for any non-agricultural purposes except with the permission of the district collector.

According to the order, the ceiling limit for which the district collector shall grant permission for conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land has not been prescribed under section 133-A of the Land Revenue Act.

The order states that The Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act-1976 provides the ceiling area to extent of land measuring twelve and a half standard acres for the purpose of Act.

“ …..It has been felt that the competent authority may face difficulty in proper implementation of the provision of section 133A of The Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996,” the order states.

According to the order, the government is empowered under section 141 of The Land Revenue Act to make provisions for removal of difficulties in implementation of the Act.

“If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the government, may be order, published in the official gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as it appears to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty,” reads section 141 of the law. kno