Collectors initiate process for land acquisition ‘illegally'
NL Correspondent
SRINAGAR: In violation of the rules, the collectors have been initiating the process for acquisition of land on the requisition of unauthorized government officials in Jammu and Kashmir.
This lackadaisical approach by the government officials not only violate Land Acquisition Act and Transfer for Property Act, but also creates legal complications and vitiating the whole process of land acquisition for various purposes, officials said.
Officials in the Revenue Department said the collectors have been initiating the proceedings for acquisition of land for various purposes without verifying the competence of the officer placing the indent. “It is violating the rules and creates legal complications and vitiating the whole process of acquisition.”
The official said there have been complaints that officers who are not authorised are placing the requisition indent with the respective collections for acquisition of land for various purposes in various departments. “It is creating the bottlenecks in releasing of payments to the land owners because the collectors are not acquiring land legally,” he added.
Sources said the district development commissioners have also been entertaining requisition for transfer of state land to various government department's without ascertaining the actual requirement of land. “The Revenue Department is finding it difficult to meet the requirement of land for every departmental activity in view of huge scarcity of suitable state land,” he said.
The government has taken a note of “lackadaisical approach” by the officials in acquisition of the land. The Revenue Department has written to the departments that the indent for acquisition of land shall not be extended if it is placed by the respective head of departments/corporations addressed to district collector only.
“While placing the indent, the HOD concerned shall specifically certify that he/she has duly been authorised by the administrative department concerned for acquisition of the land on behalf of the said department,” the Revenue Department directives to departments said.
Further the Revenue Department has directed, “The requisition for transfer shall be placed by the administrative secretaries concerned to the district collector specifically indicating there in the actual minimum requirement of land for the purpose along with a map having duly approved by the competent authorities.”
