150 kanals of industrial estate under encroachment in Samba
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday stated that 150 kanals of land earmarked for industrial development in Samba district is under encroachment, while a major portion of the identified land is yet to be handed over to the Industries Department.
In a written reply to a question regarding development at Industrial Estate Balole in Bari Brahmana tehsil, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said that 522 kanals of land had been taken up for development by the Jammu and Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO) in 2016.
He said the SIDCO Board of Directors issued directions in this regard on August 3, 2017, following which land was allotted even before its formal transfer from the Revenue Department to the Industries and Commerce Department.
A government order dated December 1, 2023, formally transferred the land measuring 522 kanals to the Industries and Commerce Department.
“Out of this, only 236 kanals and 10 marlas at Industrial Estate Balole, Bari Brahmana, were formally handed over to SIDCO for further allotment to entrepreneurs,” he said while replying to BJP MLA Chander Prakash Ganga’s question.
However, physical possession of only 86 kanals and 10 marlas has so far been taken.
“The remaining 150 kanals out of the handed-over land is still under encroachment, preventing SIDCO from proceeding with further development and creating law and order issues,” he said.
He added that 37 industrial units have already been given possession of land after clearance by the Single Window Clearance Committee.
