Srinagar: The state government has constituted a high level committee to work out modalities for transfer of 175.64 acres of land which is under an unauthorized occupation of army at Gulmarag.
According to KNS correspondent, in a written response to a query asked by Naeem Akhtar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLC the minister incharge home has said that the land at Gulmarag will be exchanged for Toto ground Batmaloo.
“There is no proposal for allotment of more land to defense ministry in Affarwat area for construction of concrete defense road from Gulmarag to Affarwat peak. However, a high level committee has been constituted vide government order number 136-GAD of 2014 dated 3-2-2014 inter allia to work out the modalities for transfer of 175.64 acres of land which is under the unauthorized occupation of army at Gulmarag in lieu of the land to be exchanged for Tattoo ground Batmaloo,” reads the government response to Akhter’s question.
The PDP MLC had asked the government about the area of land allotted to army at Gulmarag to which the government has said that in pursuant to administrative council decision number 139 dated 22-11-1991, 130 acres of land has been transferred to army at Gulmarag by tourism department vide government order number 107-TSH of 1991 dated 11-12-1991 subject to certain terms and conditions.
Akhtar had also asked about the area actually under the use of army at Gulmarag and Botapathri areas to which the government has said that 305.64 acres of land is under the occupation of army in Gulmarag and Botapathri areas out of which 130 acres are authorized and 175.64 acres are under unauthorized occupation.
However, the government has said there is no proposal to allot more land to defense ministry or for the purpose of construction of a concrete road from Gulmarag to Affarwat area. (KNS)