Srinagar, Feb 19: The Jammu & Kashmir government has admitted that a major portion of its properties located outside the Union Territory—including prime land in the national capital—remains either encroached upon or in possession of the Ministry of Defence.
Replying to a cut motion moved by Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Gani Lone in the Legislative Assembly, the government as per Kashmir Convener revealed that nearly 85 per cent of the prestigious Kashmir House estate on Rajaji Marg in New Delhi is currently under the occupation of the Military Engineering Service (MES).
According to official data tabled in the House, the total area of the property is 114 kanals and 11.2 marlas, out of which a staggering 96 kanals is in possession of the Defence Ministry. The administration stated that only 18 kanals—where staff quarters are located—remain under the Union Territory’s control.
The minister in-charge of Hospitality & Protocol informed the House that the matter has been “persistently taken up” with the Estates department and the Defence Ministry, but with no breakthrough so far. In a minor relief, the government managed to retrieve 1 kanal and 11.2 marlas from unauthorized occupation in June last year.
The issue, however, is not confined to Delhi. In Amritsar, the government owns around 32 kanals and 9 marlas at Daimganj. Officials said sustained legal action has led to the retrieval of over 23 kanals from private occupants, though approximately 8 kanals and 5 marlas remain under illegal occupation with litigation pending before civil courts.
In another high-stakes case, the government is locked in legal proceedings in Haryana over a vast tract of 1,251 kanals and 4 marlas in the Mangla area of Sirsa district. The land was leased out to Bajwa Brothers in the late 1960s, but following alleged violation of lease conditions—including non-payment of rent—the government moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The matter is now at the “final argument stage.”
Meanwhile, the revelations have triggered concern among legislators over the lack of proactive monitoring of inter-state assets.
Sources indicated that the disclosures could prompt a comprehensive audit of all J&K government properties located outside the UT, given the financial and political sensitivity of allowing such valuable land parcels to remain outside official control for decades.
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