Kansuha Khurd gram sabha to resolve common land dispute

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 11

Fearing caste divide and violence, residents of Kansuha Khurd village in Nabha block of the Patiala district have exercised their right to call a special session of the gram sabha to resolve the issue of reserved common village land.

Around 25 per cent of the total voters as per the Panchayati Raj Act, minimum requirement is 20 per cent, signed a letter on Sunday to call a special session of the gram sabha.

The special session was called after the family of the sarpanch, reached village along with a combine harvester and the police to harvest paddy crop on a disputed land, which Mukhtiyar Singh, a scheduled cast resident of same village, claimed to be his.

Mukhtiyar had been protesting outside the office of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) for the last three weeks alleging that he had not been given possession of the reserved common village land (20 bigas) despite depositing the auction amount by him in May this year.

Mukhtiyar further alleged that husband of the village sarpanch illegally cultivated the land and did not hand over its possession since May.

“I paid the auction fee in May this year. It has already been five months, but I have not been able to get possession of the land. The administration has deliberately been delaying the matter to help husband of the village sarpanch,” said Mukhtiyar.

Dilvar Singh, husband of village sarpanch Jaswinder Kaur, said, “Mukhtiyar Singh has illegally sublet the land to four persons. Now, he is conspiring to defame me just for petty politics.”

Lakhvir Singh, a villager, said, “Gram sabha is being called to prevent any violence. The issue can be resolved amicably in front of the whole village. Villagers have asked the BDPO, the Bhadson SHO, and Revenue Department officials to be present on the day of sabha.”

Meanwhile, the BDPO has barred both the parties from harvesting the crop till further orders. The BDPO, Surinder Dhaliwal, said, “I have already suggested the Nabha SDM to appoint a receiver to estimate the crop value. The decision on land will be taken thereafter.”

Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Preeti Yadav could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

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