Jammu, Mar 3: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded encroachment of more than 17 lakh kanals of state land, with entries expunged from revenue records, while over 75,000 kanals have been transferred to government departments and agencies since 2019, according to official data.
Encroachment Details Across Divisions
Out of a total 1,00,06,163.9 kanals of state land in J&K, 17,27,246.5 kanals are under encroachment, the data revealed.
In the Kashmir division, 3,27,198.5 kanals of land are encroached, with corresponding entries removed from revenue records. Baramulla tops the list with 81,327.65 kanals, followed by Kupwara (52,698.1 kanals), Pulwama (42,730.8 kanals), and Anantnag (36,984 kanals). Srinagar reports 13,862.95 kanals under encroachment.
In the Jammu division, 14,00,048 kanals and 65 marlas are encroached, with Rajouri district recording the highest at 2,73,848 kanals and 12 marlas, followed by Reasi (2,26,857 kanals and 6 marlas), Ramban (1,73,832 kanals), Jammu (1,45,487 kanals and 6 marlas), and Kathua (1,30,403 kanals and 1.5 marlas).
Land Transfers Since 2019
Officials said 68,190 kanals and 19 marlas were transferred to UT and state departments without transfer charges under delegated powers, while 7,495 kanals and 10 marlas were allotted to Central government agencies, generating Rs 10,506.75 lakh based on prevailing stamp rates.
Year-wise data shows that between 2019 and 2024, the Administrative Council approved 44,130 kanals and 15 marlas for UT departments and 7,495 kanals and 10 marlas for Central agencies. Additionally, the Revenue Department transferred 8,103 kanals and 1 marla, divisional commissioners 9,086 kanals and 19 marlas, and deputy commissioners 6,870 kanals and 4 marlas within their delegated authority.
Authorities clarified that transfers beyond 500 kanals require Administrative Council approval, 100-500 kanals fall under the Revenue Department, 10-100 kanals under divisional commissioners, and up to 10 kanals under deputy commissioners.