In extensive discussions with Lt Gen D S Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern Command; in a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan here today, Governor N.N.Vohra reviewed the implementation of decisions taken in earlier Civil Military Liaison Conferences in respect of all land matters relating to the Army. This meeting was attended by Shri B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary; Shri P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shri R.K. Goyal, Principal Secretary, Home; Shri Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; and Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu.After discussions it was agreed that Hqrs Northern Army would hand over (i) 16.30 acres of state land held by it adjoining the Campus of Jammu University; (ii) 212 acres of land held by it at Tatoo Grounds, Srinagar; (iii) 456.60 kanals of land at High Grounds, Anantnag; (iv) land held at lower Khurba Thang in Kargil. It was agreed that in so far as land at the lower Plateau Khurba Thang would be taken over before 31st March when Chief Secretary visits Kargil, as Chairman of the Committee set up to deal with all Army Key Location Plan matters.
As regards the land at (i), (ii) and (iii) these would be handed over before 31st March 2016. Regarding the Tatoo Ground Land the Governor and Army Commander will jointly visit the site, before 31st March, to also discuss certain proposals regarding the utilisation of this land for creating a park, recreational facilities for youth etc.The Governor directed that the Committee headed by the Chief Secretary shall visit Jammu University, Kargil and Anantnag to satisfy all formalities on the spot and take over the said sites.The Governor also reviewed all other decisions and arrived at certain understandings with the Army Commander in regard to the location of HAWS in the Gulmarg Bowl. The Governor shall shortly have a further meeting in this regard with the Army Commander.The meeting also discussed all cases relating to the regularisation of certain lands and buildings held by the Army and decisions were taken to further action in this regard before 31st May, 2016. For this purpose, the Chief Secretary’s Committee shall meet regularly till all the cases are settled.The meeting also discussed issues relating to the notification of Firing Ranges at various places. It was decided that the Chief Secretary shall pursue the pending issues with the Ministry of Defence, particularly regarding the enhancement of the scales of rent payable for the required areas of land.