BJP State Spokesperson, Prof. Virender Gupta expressed his surprise on the revelation by Deputy Chief Minister in the state assembly that 57468 kanals of forest land is under ten residential colonies in Jammu. The reason forwarded by the Minister are increasing population in and around Jammu city, inadequate forest land record, emerging land mafia, poor and damaged revenue records and absence of demarcation on field.
The spokesperson said that if the forest land records are inadequate, revenue records are damaged and there was no demarcation on the field, then how the concerned department prepared the details of the forest land under occupation of the residential colonies, which was tabled in the assembly by the minister. The basic reason for the emergence of these colonies on the forest land is the corrupt practices adopted by the previous ministers, concerned officers and other people having political connections. The colonies cannot be regularized as these have come up on the forest land and no permission was granted from the Government for the construction of these colonies.
Prof. Virender demanded that an enquiry be conducted into the whole matter of grabbing the forest land and the people involved in the crime needs to be prosecuted. He also said that these colonies be declared as illegal and unauthorized and other necessary action be taken that includes stopping of power supply, water supply etc. The Dy. Chief Minister should also take serious note of the matter and take the appropriate action.
Prof. Virender also said that proper computerized records be maintained for the forest land and revenue land and strict action be taken against those who are in possession of forest/revenue land.
