J&K Chief Secretary, Mr B B Vyas met the senior officers of the Union Defense Ministry, Defense Estates and the Army here today to discuss the land issues flagged by the civil administration during his extensive visit to various districts recently.The Chief Secretary called for resolving all the outstanding land related issues in a time bound manner taking into consideration both the strategic imperatives of the army, and the requirements of Civilian Administration and the local population in the respective districts.The Chief Secretary specifically referred to the land issues at Khumbathang & Khurbathang in Kargil, Tattoo Ground in Srinagar, High Ground in Anantnag and some areas in Leh, which are needed by the civilian administration for raising public infrastructure.Mr Vyas also raised with the Defense Ministry officers the issue of revision of rent on the land under use of the Army in the State. He also discussed the issue of enhancement of rates of compensation to population affected by firing ranges in various parts of the State as the livelihood of many in the villages depends on the income from such pieces of land.
He also requested for extension of the facility for airlifting of civilians by Air Force (including casualties like accidental cases, blast cases and suffering from terminal ailments) from the far flung areas which get cut off from mainland during winters due to snowfall and other natural vagaries.The officers of the Defense Ministry have assured the Chief Secretary that all these issues would be looked into with a sense of urgency.Principal Secretary Home, Mr R K Goyal, Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Govt, Mr R K Gupta, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Rohit Kansal and other senior officers of the J&K Government.