Gaurav Gupta Meets Chief Secretary, Seeks Resolution for Gair Mumkin Khad Issues
Jammu, Nov 14: In a meeting today, former General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu, Gaurav Gupta, called on Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, to address the unresolved issues surrounding the contentious Gair Mumkin Khad lands that continue to affect numerous residents in Jammu. Gupta submitted a detailed memorandum, urging immediate government intervention to resolve these prolonged land disputes and bring relief to the impacted populace.
Acknowledging the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Gupta commended the progress made in addressing land delineation challenges in Kathua and Samba districts. He pointed out, however, that similar issues in Jammu remain largely unattended, leaving many residents in a state of uncertainty. Highlighting the lack of follow-through on critical directives concerning Gair Mumkin Khad areas, Gupta drew attention to the adverse consequences of the ongoing delays.
Nearly five months ago, the government directed the Irrigation Department to determine the width of the existing Khads to define land boundaries and curb encroachments. However, Gupta alleged that the department has yet to act on these directives, attributing the stagnation to “apathy and inefficiency” within the system.
“This persistent inaction is deeply frustrating and has caused significant distress among affected residents,” Gupta remarked. He stressed that the failure to implement these directives has created a widening “gap between policy and execution,” adversely affecting the livelihoods of many families while eroding public trust in administrative processes.
Gupta emphasized that the delays have repercussions that extend beyond administrative inefficiencies, directly impacting the economic stability of affected communities. “This is not merely a bureaucratic lapse; it is a systemic failure that undermines public welfare and the credibility of governance,” he stated, underscoring the pressing need for decisive intervention.
In his appeal to the Chief Secretary, Gupta urged the administration to hold the Irrigation Department accountable for its lack of action. He called for strict directives to ensure the department fulfills its responsibilities without further delay and suggested imposing consequences for continued lapses. “Swift and firm measures are required to resolve this issue effectively and restore public confidence,” he added.
Responding to Gupta’s concerns, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo assured that the administration remains committed to addressing the grievances of affected residents. He promised to take immediate steps to hold the Irrigation Department accountable and expedite the resolution of land disputes. Dulloo reiterated the government’s intention to bridge the gap between policy and its execution, pledging to prioritize public welfare in tackling this issue.
