Govt allows DCs to convert only 12.5 acres of agri land

After the decision of conversion of agriculture land for other purposes, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday notified that the District Collectors (DCs) are not allowed to grant permission for conversion of more 12.5 acres of land.

Reports said that the decision has been taken by the authorities after it was felt that the competent authority may face difficulty in proper implementation of the proviso of section 133-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt 1996.

An order in this regard has been issued by the Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Revenue department.

“Subject to the procedure notified in sub-section (4), no land used for agriculture purposes shall be used for any non-agricultural purposes except with the permission of the District Collector. The ceiling limit for which the District Collector shall grant permission for conversion of agricultural land to non- agriculture purpose has not been prescribed under section 133-A of the said Act”, the order reads.

Whereas, the Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 provides the ceiling area to the extent of land measuring twelve and a half standard acres for the purpose of the said Act. It has been felt that the competent authority may face difficulty in proper implementation of the provision of section 133-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996.

Whereas, section 141 of Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996 enables the Government to make such provision for removal of difficulties, which is excerpted herein under, it reads.

“If any difficulty arises in giving the effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may by Order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as it appears to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty”, it added.

“Now, therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by section 141 of Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996, the Government hereby directs that the District Collector while exercising powers under section 133-A of the Act shall not grant permission for conversion of land more than twelve and a half standard acres in accordance with the procedure notified by the Board in this behalf”, it added.