Kashmir Life: Srinagar: Sunday, 9th March 2025.
More than 16,000 Kanals of
land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) is under illegal
occupation by private individuals and land mafias, an official RTI response has
revealed. This accounts for over 20 per cent of JDA’s total land holdings,
raising serious concerns over encroachment in the region.
The information came to light through a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma. In response to Sharma’s online query, JDA Secretary and Public Information Officer (PIO) Vishavjeet Singh disclosed the figures in an official letter dated March 4, 2025.
According to the RTI reply, out of JDA’s total land holding of 80,976 Kanals and 10 Marlas, 16,467 Kanals and 10 Marlas are illegally occupied, leaving only 65,508 Kanals under JDA’s direct control. In Jammu district alone, JDA owns 68,992 Kanals and 11 Marlas, while in Samba district, it holds 11,983 Kanals and 19 Marlas.
Despite government claims of anti-encroachment drives, the JDA refused to provide data on land retrieved between 2015 and 2025, stating: “Record Not Available.” The RTI response also revealed that JDA is currently facing 635 legal cases, including 212 in subordinate courts, 422 in the J&K High Court, and one in the Supreme Court of India.
Reacting to the revelations, RTI activist Raman Sharma urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate action to reclaim the encroached land, estimated to be worth billions of rupees.
The information came to light through a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma. In response to Sharma’s online query, JDA Secretary and Public Information Officer (PIO) Vishavjeet Singh disclosed the figures in an official letter dated March 4, 2025.
According to the RTI reply, out of JDA’s total land holding of 80,976 Kanals and 10 Marlas, 16,467 Kanals and 10 Marlas are illegally occupied, leaving only 65,508 Kanals under JDA’s direct control. In Jammu district alone, JDA owns 68,992 Kanals and 11 Marlas, while in Samba district, it holds 11,983 Kanals and 19 Marlas.
Despite government claims of anti-encroachment drives, the JDA refused to provide data on land retrieved between 2015 and 2025, stating: “Record Not Available.” The RTI response also revealed that JDA is currently facing 635 legal cases, including 212 in subordinate courts, 422 in the J&K High Court, and one in the Supreme Court of India.
Reacting to the revelations, RTI activist Raman Sharma urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate action to reclaim the encroached land, estimated to be worth billions of rupees.
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