JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that 150 kanals of land identified for industrial development at Industrial Estate Balole in Samba district remain under encroachment, while a substantial portion of the total land 436 kanals earmarked is yet to be handed over to the Industries Department.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Chander Prakash Ganga, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that in 2016, land measuring 522 kanals was taken up for development by the Jammu and Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO), following directions issued by its Board of Directors on August 3, 2017.
He said the land was allotted even before its formal transfer from the Revenue Department to the Industries and Commerce Department. Subsequently, through a government order dated December 1, 2023, the entire 522 kanals of state land was formally transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department.
Out of this, 236 kanals and 10 marlas at Industrial Estate Balole, Bari Brahmana, were formally handed over to SIDCO for allotment to entrepreneurs. However, physical possession of only 86 kanals and 10 marlas has been taken so far, as 150 kanals of the handed-over land remain under encroachment, hampering further development and creating law and order issues.
The deputy chief minister said 37 industrial units have already been given possession of land after clearance by the Single Window Clearance Committee.
He added that the remaining 285.5 kanals are yet to be handed over by the Revenue authorities to the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Jammu. Further allotments to entrepreneurs will be made once the remaining land is transferred to SIDCO and encroachments are cleared, he said. — (PTI)