This has raised questions not only over the authenticity of defence land records but also issues such as unrecorded transfer of land, underhand transactions, unauthorised occupation and encroachments, besides jeopardising the government’s claim on its property.
Sources said the discrepancies involve about 3,647 acres in nine stations under the Western Command. These include Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Kasauli, Dagshai, New Amritsar Military Station, Sabathu, Gurdaspur, Beas, Ludhiana, Faridkot and Kapurthala.
While the records of the Defence Estate Officers (DEOs) state that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) holds 27325.48 acres in these nine stations, the records and data held by local military authorities (LMA) show MoD land holdings to be 29589.49 acres. DEOs are responsible for maintaining land records, while LMAs are responsible for physically occupying and managing the land.
Under MoD rules, land records maintained by the DEOs are the basic documents for land management. If the records maintained by the DEOs are taken as the guidelines, military authorities are holding over 2,955 acres of excess in four stations.
The border cantonment of Ferozepur and Jalandhar top the list of excess land holdings by about 1,594 and 1,075 recpectively, followed by Kapurthala and Gurdaspur, while land holdings are deficient by a total of about 692 acres in the remaining five stations.
Improper handing overtaking over of land records among occupying military units moving in and out on routine rotation. Inept handling of records and failure to conduct regular inspections and reconciliation of land records by both the DEOs as well as LMAs are among reasons cited for the discrepancies.
While all defence land records are being computerised, sources said that a comprehensive survey of all defence land holdings had been sanctioned recently and work on the project has already been started. The survey will bring out the field situation of defence lands and ensure authenticity.
3,647 Acres in Nine Stations:
- Sources said the discrepancies involve about 3,647 acres in nine stations under the Western Command
- These include Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Kasauli, Dagshai, New Amritsar Military Station, Sabathu, Gurdaspur, Beas, Ludhiana, Faridkot and Kapurthala
- This has raised questions not only over the authenticity of defence land records but also issues such as unrecorded transfer of land, underhand transactions, unauthorised occupation and encroachments, besides jeopardising the government's claim on its property
via The Tribune, Chandigarh
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