• Directs line departments to ensure field verification of essential utilities before clearance

BANDIPORA: A meeting of the District Level Committee on Change of Land Use (CLU) was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, at Mini Secretariat Bandipora, to review and process applications in pursuance of the Jammu & Kashmir Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Regulations Act, 2022.

During the proceedings, the committee took up 08 pending cases for comprehensive scrutiny and threadbare discussion in accordance with established regulatory guidelines. Following a detailed examination of revenue records and site feasibility, the committee approved 01 case that fulfilled all statutory requirements, while 02 cases were rejected for failing to meet the prescribed criteria. The remaining 05 cases were placed under revision pending further on-ground factual verification.

While chairing the meeting, the DC issued clear directions to the Jal Shakti (PHE) and Power Development Department (PDD) to ascertain and verify the ground realities regarding the cases kept for revision. She instructed the concerned officers to thoroughly examine the availability and feasibility of essential basic utility services, particularly water supply and electricity, at the proposed locations.

The DC emphasized that the conversion of agricultural land must strictly adhere to statutory norms without straining local utility networks. The concerned departments were directed to furnish factual field reports at the earliest to ensure expeditious, transparent, and hassle-free disposal of the cases.

The meeting was attended in person and virtually by Superintending Engineer PWD Circle Bandipora, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Bandipora Shabir Ahmad Wani, Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Sumbal and Gurez, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Executive Engineers from PHE, PDD, R&B, and I&FC, District Officer Pollution Control Committee, Chief Town Planner, Tehsildars, and other concerned officers.

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