Hindustan Times: Faridkot: Sunday, January 21, 2018.
Moga
municipal corporation has been sitting on a gold mine of 300 acres of prime
land in 16 localities, according to revenue records, but has allowed possession
to pass on to members of the public in an illegal manner. Estimates put the
value of the encroached upon land at around Rs 2,000 crore, money that the
civic body could use to fund development.
A large part
of the encroached land is in the Old Grain Market (Walterganj) and common areas
of Landeke and Duneke villages all within the MC limits. The issue has come to
the fore through information sought by RTI activist, Suresh Sood.
Revenue
record shows that even as 32 acres in the Old Grain Market was registered in
the name of Municipal Corporation in 1969-70 (the then municipal committee),
officials have failed to take possession or strike a settlement deal with
people who now claim to be the owners.
Information
under the RTI has also revealed that in Landeke and Duneke villages, 135 acres
of common land is again being used by villagers, even as the land belongs to
the Moga MC.
Over the
years, commercial construction has sprung up on the land and full-fledged
businesses are being run, yet the civic body has not earned a rupee. Officials
have also failed to formulate proposals or a plan to ensure that it can earn
some revenue from these properties.
Municipal
commissioner Jagwinderjit Singh said, “The consolidation process for land was
started in the Walterganj area, but not completed. I need to check facts on
common land of Landke and Duneke villages.”
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