Chief Secretary directs DCs to personally monitor ongoing eviction drive across J&K

Srinagar, Feb 04: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary has directed deputy commissioners of all districts to personally monitor the ongoing eviction drive across the Union Territory and submit progress report on a daily basis.

An official said that Chief Secretary chaired a meeting with top officials regarding the ongoing eviction drive across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said DCs were asked to personally monitor the anti-encroachment drives within their districts & submit progress report on daily basis.

“Commissioner Secretary, Revenue would submit a detailed report of the anti-encroachment drives covering the entire UT to the office of the Chief Secretary, every evening. DC’s and SSP’s were directed to monitor the law and order situation during these anti-encroachment drives and take all preventive measures in advance,” he said.

He also said for any adverse court order or stay in this regard, the CS asked the concerned officer, counsel appearing (failing to appear) would be held accountable and removed with immediate effect.

The official said the CS also noted that in areas where people voluntarily want to hand over the encroached State land back, they would be asked to hand over the state land back, in writing.

“DCs were asked to ensure that the Geo Coordinates of the retrieved land are recorded and the entry of the same be made in the revenue records as well as roznamcha by the concerned Patwari countersigned by the concerned Revenue officer and put in public domain besides informing Hon ‘ble Court where objections/report is filed regarding compliance of Court orders,” he said.

He also said IT Department was asked to develop a separate Portal or Dash Board in consultation with Revenue Department, wherein specified details of all retrieved lands would be recorded and put in public domain.

“ADGPs and Divisional Commissioners were asked to inquire and investigate any person observed or found to make negative statements with respect to present anti-encroachment drives to check whether they have encroached land which they are defending,” the official said.

He further said DCs were asked to put the retrieved land to the best use and any department which intends to use the retrieved land for a specific purpose may formulate DPR and initiate the proposal for funding during financial year 2023-24.