Chandigarh: Nearly 5,240 acres of shamlat land (common village land), including some along the national highway (NH) worth crores or rupees, is under encroachment in Panipat district, information sought under the RTI Act has revealed.
The RTI query was moved by Dharam Pal Rathee, a resident of Panipat, who had sought details of common village land encroached by locals as well as influential persons, allegedly in connivance with the officials of panchayati raj department as well as the district revenue department.
Armed with RTI information, Rathee has now approached the chief minister’s office (CMO) for the release of land and to seek action against the “errant” officials who have been indicted from time to time as well as those responsible for the encroachment in the recent years. “Some chunks are under encroachment for decades. Some are under litigation as well. But surprisingly, the local administration or panchayats or officers concerned have failed to take possession of lands where courts had given decisions,” said Amit Rathee, an activist who is pursuing the matter on behalf of Dharampal.
“Leave aside the value of the land, the state will earn a revenue of Rs 16 crore per annum even if the panchayats give this land on fresh lease at as low as Rs 30,000 per acre,” said Amit Rathee, an activist who is pursuing the matter on behalf of Dharampal.
Panipat deputy commissioner Dharmender Singh though feigned ignorance about the complaint lying with the CMO, he confirmed the quantum of encroachment on shamlat land in the district.
“We carry out drives from time to time. There are different types of encroachments and district administration and enforcement agencies are equally alert about the development. We strictly adhere to the directions of honorable court,” said the DC.
Manvir Saini / TNN / Nov 14, 2020, 04:16 IST
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