 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 27: Former Minister and National Conference Additional General Secretary, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, raised concerns over the decision of the Administrative Council, headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, to approve Rs 26 Crore for the purchase of land to build an additional building for Jammu and Kashmir House in New Delhi. Sadhotra questioned the logic behind this move when the UT Administration already owns nearly 114 Kanal of prime land at Rajaji Marg in the National Capital, a significant portion of which is under the occupation of the Army.
Expressing his views, Sadhotra stated that it would have been prudent for the J&K Administration to reclaim the prime land at Rajaji Marg from the Army, especially with the current presence of a "double engine government." He suggested that the Lieutenant Governor should have engaged with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to resolve the issue rather than burdening the state exchequer.
Sadhotra expressed hope that the LG Administration would reconsider its decision and take steps to vacate the substantial portion of 97 kanals, out of the total 114 kanal land, currently occupied by the Army. This, he emphasized, would allow for the construction of a splendid Jammu and Kashmir House, considering the increasing needs of the downgraded state.
He referred to a previous written reply by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, stating that the government owned 114 kanals of land with built-up area at Rajaji Marg, much of which was occupied by the Ministry of Defence. Sadhotra highlighted the need for the LG Administration to engage with the Ministry of Defence and Directorate of Estates, Government of India, to address the issue.
Sadhotra recalled the visit of the House Committee of J&K Legislative Council to Rajaji Marg in 2013, emphasizing the importance of creating optimal use of available land in New Delhi. He hoped that the LG Administration would take decisive action, engage with the Union Ministry of Defence, and resolve the matter to create suitable accommodation for visitors from Jammu and Kashmir, thereby saving state |
