Welcoming the step of Army for implementation of decision on vacation of land at various sites in Jammu & Kashmir, Former Minister, MLA Darhal and Senior Peoples Democratic Party leader Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has said that the decision will help the state in building fresh assets for public welfare. He lauded the role of Home and Defence Ministry of India for mitigating the demand.In a significant development, the Indian Army decided to vacate huge portions of land held by it close to civilian habitations in Jammu and Kashmir and hand over the possession to the state government. The decision was taken in a review meeting of Governor on the decisions taken in earlier civil military liaison conferences on all land matters relating to the army.
Terming it a welcome step of Army for adhering commitment with Former Chief Minister Mufti Mohamad Sayeed, PDP Leader Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that the decision on these matters was taken on September 29, 2015 during Civil-Military Liaison (CML) Conference, in Srinagar which was chaired by Former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He said that Mufti had directed Army to vacate land at Tattoo Ground, Batmaloo, in the heart of the summer capital. He said that Mufti wanted to develop basic facilities at Tatoo Ground in the interest of general public. He added that in the same meeting, it was decided to expedite the issue pertaining to land at High Ground, Anantnag in South Kashmir and a timeline of three months was fixed for vacation of these lands. Zulfkar said that Mufti wanted to utilize land at High Ground for expansion of University of Kashmir's south campus as well as developing a new housing colony to de-congest the town. He added that Mufti had also directed Army to vacate land at Khurbathang-Kargil, Jammu Airport and University Campus Jammu.
Expressing pleasure over fulfilling commitment by Army, , Zulfkar said that the demand was on the top priority of Peoples Democratic Party and not only Former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed but Party President Mehbooba Mufti was also very particular about the matter. He said that PDP raised the issue various time because they wanted to create tangible assets on this land for public welfare. He said that Mufti would have appreciated Army today for this big step because he was very much concerned about this matter.Zulfkar said that implementation of decisions taken on September 29, 2015 meeting is highly welcomed by all in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Zulfkar appreciated Home Affairs Department and Defence Ministry of India for contemplating the demands raised by PDP. He added that this decision will help this state in a long way ahead to create big assets for the welfare of people of the state and centre has played vital role in this which needs to be appreciated.
Lauding the role of Army in J&K, Zulfkar said that Army has played vital role for safeguarding the borders and LoC besides doing marvellous work of welfare under Operation Sadbhavana. He said that although their role could not be neglected, yet there is need to reduce the land occupied by Army particular in peace zones of the state. He said that in Rajouri, all prime locations are in the possession of Army and there is no place left in the hands of Government to create some big asset for the people. He said that there is need of vacating the land occupied by Army in peace zones and a decision of this matter should also be taken in the interests of the welfare of people of this state. (CNS)