JAMMU: Minister for Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla was cornered by the members from PDP, National Conference and even his own party (Congress) on the issue of conversion of Agriculture land for the use of industries and poor maintenance of revenue records.

This issue was first raised by PDP member and it was followed by volley of supplementaries raised by other members from NC and Congress. The PDP member Murtaza Khan pointed out that Government has notified nearly 796 kanal of prime Agricultural and irrigational category land at Rakh Amb Tali in Samba for the purpose of Industrial Growth Centre.

JAMMU: Admitting that unscrupulous elements have been making attempts to encroach upon land in and around major cities of the State, Government today said that about 19 lakh kanal State, Forest and Kahcharai land is under encroachment across the State.

In response to a question of CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, admitted in the Lower House that unscrupulous elements have been making attempts to encroach upon the State/Kahcharai/ Forest land in and around major cities of the State.

JAMMU: Minister of State for Home and Urban Development, Nasir Aslam Wani today said that ` 219 crore was received from centre for conservation of Dal lake.

Replying to a question of Ajay Sadhotra in Upper House today Mr. Nasir said that based on the recommendations made by the experts, a comprehensive strategy and interventions are being implemented for cleaning the Dal lake, which included Point Pollution, Non Point Source of Pollution, Restoration of development works and Rehabilitation of Dal Dwellers.

DFO, Tehsildar, cops among land grabbers

JAMMU: Over 270 kanals of land worth crores, belonging to Forest department, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and State Revenue department has allegedly been grabbed by some persons including a few influential persons with the political patronage in Sidhra and Dwada area, near Golf Course and adjacent to the Mahmaya temple in Bahu Range across river Tawi under Jammu Forest Division.

JAMMU: Minister for Industries & Commerce, S.S. Slathia today clarified that extraction of minerals from the hills located around the Katra will have no impact on Trikuta Hills.

He said the project has been started after obtaining necessary clearance from the Environment Department and there would not be any impact on the Trikuta Hills and on the sanctity of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji shrine.

JAMMU: The State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal today cleared ` 14 crore out of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for clearing the liabilities on account of relief

JAMMU, Feb 8: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday sought the support of Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) in the promotion of aroma, herbal and leather industry in Jammu and K

JAMMU: National Panthers Party MLA, Harsh Dev Singh has strongly condemned the neglect of Mansar and Surinsar lakes in the matter of funds allocation by the Govenrment of India and sanction of an additional package of ` 356 crore exclusively for Dal lake. Describing the decision as the most blatant act of regional discrimination, Mr. Singh further lambasted the State Government for its apathy and neglect of the tourist resorts of Jammu region and intentional non-projection of demands with respect to their development.

In the last five years, only 60% of MGNREGA work completed y Authorities fail to utilise funds allotted under the scheme.

Katra: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra, has found a novel solution to the problem of waste generated by mules.