Jammu, Mar 3: More than 17 lakh kanals of state land in Jammu and Kashmir are under encroachment, while over 75,000 kanals have been transferred to various government departments and agencies since 2019, according to official data.
Out of a total 1,00,06,163.9 kanals of state land across the Union Territory, 17,27,246.5 kanals are recorded as encroached. Corresponding entries of the encroached land have been expunged from revenue records, the data revealed.
In the Kashmir division, 16,54,709.9 kanals of state land have been recorded, of which 3,27,198.5 kanals were found under encroachment. Revenue records show 3,27,199 kanals expunged. Baramulla accounts for the highest encroached land at 81,327.65 kanals, followed by Kupwara (52,698.1 kanals), Pulwama (42,730.8 kanals), and Anantnag (36,984 kanals). Srinagar district reported 13,862.95 kanals under encroachment.
In the Jammu division, against 83,51,454 kanals and 61 marlas of state land, 14,00,048 kanals and 65 marlas were reported under encroachment, with corresponding entries removed from revenue records. Rajouri recorded the highest encroachment at 2,73,848 kanals and 12 marlas, followed by Reasi (2,26,857 kanals and 6 marlas), Ramban (1,73,832 kanals), Jammu (1,45,487 kanals and 6 marlas), and Kathua (1,30,403 kanals and 1.5 marlas).
Overall, more than 14 lakh kanals in Jammu division and over 3.27 lakh kanals in Kashmir division are under encroachment.
Regarding land transfers since 2019, officials said 68,190 kanals and 19 marlas were transferred to state and UT government departments without charging transfer value under delegated powers. Additionally, 7,495 kanals and 10 marlas were allotted to Central government departments, generating Rs 10,506.75 lakh as transfer value based on prevailing stamp rates.
Between 2019 and 2024, the Administrative Council approved transfer of 44,130 kanals and 15 marlas to UT departments and 7,495 kanals and 10 marlas to Central departments. The Revenue Department transferred 8,103 kanals and 1 marla, divisional commissioners transferred 9,086 kanals and 19 marlas, and deputy commissioners transferred 6,870 kanals and 4 marlas under delegated authority.
As per norms, the Administrative Council approves transfers beyond 500 kanals, the Revenue Department handles 100 to 500 kanals, divisional commissioners 10 to 100 kanals, and deputy commissioners up to 10 kanals. (Agencies)
