Srinagar, Mar 22: The Jammu & Kashmir government on Saturday informed the Assembly that 235 farmers in Ramgarh are yet to receive their pending land rent for Army-requisitioned land due to documentation issues.
The statement came in response to a question raised by Ramgarh MLA Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, who sought clarification on why rent payments for farmers in Sujana, Rajpura Mawa, Paloora, Sarthi Kalan, and Sarthi Khurd remained unpaid despite funds being available.
Responding to the question, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said land measuring 591 kanal and 11 marla in these villages has been under Army requisition since December 23, 1978.
“An amount of Rs 2.02 crore as rent for the period January 2009 to March 2018 has been received from the Defence Estates Officer, Jammu,” the Chief Minister said. He added that this amount also includes rent for villages such as Chack Dumla, Sadwal, Madwal, Nadahala, and Chack Feroza in District Samba.
The CM said the funds have already been transferred to the Deputy Commissioner, Samba, for disbursement. Of the Rs 57.54 lakh earmarked for specific villages, Rs 13.79 lakh has been distributed in Rajpura Mawa, Paloora, and Mawa. However, ₹43.75 lakh meant for 235 beneficiaries in Sujana, Sarthi Kalan, and Sarthi Khurd remains pending.
“The delay is due to deficiencies like missing bank account details and discrepancies in revenue records,” the CM said. He added that acquaintance rolls have been prepared, and camps are being held in the affected villages to collect the required documents.
Clarifying further, he said no rent amount is currently lying with the District Collector, Kathua. “The rent amount has already been passed on to the concerned Tehsildars and is being disbursed accordingly,” he noted.
The CM also informed the House that rent payments have been received up to March 31, 2021, under case number JK/6282/Req for 13 border villages. Of these, 10 villages now fall under District Samba, while only three remain in District Kathua.
