Veeri for speedy recovery of payments, arrears of custodian land

          JAMMU, JANUARY 01: Minister for Revenue, Haq & Auqaf and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri today asked the Evacuee Property department to take up the issue of delay in compensation against acquisition of custodian land with concerned collectors for early recovery of all pending payments.

          This was stated by the Minister while reviewing the acquisition progress on custodian land acquired by various government departments and defence authorities in the state for various kinds of purpose.

          The meeting was attended by Custodian General J&K, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary Revenue, Farooq A Shah, Custodian Jammu, Mushtaq Hussain Malik, Custodian Kashmir, Bashir Ahmed Mir, Deputy Custodian Central, Mohammad Saleem Khan and collectors from various districts.

          During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on district wise details of total land acquired by the government departments and defence authorities with their compensation status. It was informed that the Evacuee Property department has handed over its land for carrying out developmental activities, creating departmental infrastructure and other necessary works projected by defence authorities.

          The Minister sought details of payment made to the department against the land already acquired and status of pending payments with reasons of delay in receiving due compensation against their own land.

          Collectors apprised the Minister about the land acquisition and status of payment in their respective jurisdiction and assured that the all pending payments will be done at the earliest. For some cases, the Minister sets timeline for the Collectors for clearing all pending payments to the Custodian department. He said that payments provided by the department who took over the land and lie with the collectors must be transferred to EP department without any further delay.

          Taking note of delay in getting payment against the land acquisition process, Veeri directed the officers of Custodian department to personally follow each case with the concerned collectors on regular basis and to ensure that issues involved in the delay of payments are resolved.

          He also asked the collectors to expedite the process of clearing payments against the land acquired by them in their respective districts.

          “Land anywhere in the state can be acquired for carrying out developmental and other activities but due compensation against the land acquired whether government or private, must be provided in time”, the Minister said.

          For better and effective monitoring of land handed over under acquisition process and its payment status, the Minister directed the Custodian department to compile a book incorporating details of land given to which department, payment status and other necessary details.

          “There is need for compilation of division wise data of departmental land acquired by government departments and others so that it becomes easier for the department to manage its resources”, Veeri said.

          The Minister asked the Custodian General to take up the issue with all concerned Deputy Commissioners so that recovery is made at the earliest.