Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: The Forest Department today served notice to former Minister and Congress leader Taj Modi-ud-Din to allow demarcation of land under his possession in Shopian, which was necessitated in view of an inquiry being conducted by the Vigilance Organisation into the land grabbing.
The notice to Taj Mohi-ud-din has been served by name by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Shopian vide order No. DFO/SPR/817-20/L dated 23/7/2015.
The notice said the Enquiry Officer of the Vigilance Organisation, who happens to be the DySP of Anantnag-Baramulla-Pulwama range has sought outcome of demarcation conducted by the Forest Department as the matter was pending since long for its conclusion on the merits.
Virtually indicting the Minister of grabbing forest land in Shopian, the notice said: “apparently the patch of land under your (Taj Mohi-ud-Din’s) occupation seems to be forest land within the territorial limits of compartment V-4c”.
To ascertain actual status of land, the DFO Demarcation Division, Srinagar was requested by the Forest Department on June 16 for demarcation of land under Survey Nos. 4/1 and 1162/709 min. Accordingly, on July 14, a demarcation team along with relevant records arrived on spot to undertake demarcation of the area. However, as per the notice, the Watch and Ward staff of the former Congress Minister didn’t allow the demarcation party to enter the premises of land under possession of the Minister, thereby creating hurdles in accomplishing the Government task.
“Through this notice, you are requested to direct concerned Watch and Ward staff to cooperate with the demarcation party and produce documents, if any, in support of your claim of the said land so that demarcation of land is carried out to ascertain actual status of the land,” the notice address to the former Minister said.
Sources said the State Vigilance Organisation has initiated verification in February 2011 into forest land grabbing by Taj Mohi-ud-Din in forest compartment No. V-4c (Sedev block).
In connection with the inquiry, the Vigilance Organisation had approached the Forest department for demarcation of land under illegal possession of the Congress leader. However, since National Conference-Congress Government was at the helm of affairs and Taj was a Cabinet Minister, the demarcation was never taken up.
Sources said Taj Mohi-ud-Din has raised an orchard and a structure in 20 kanals Forest land at Shopian. Though it was known to the Forest department, no efforts were made previously to get the land vacated as Taj was a Minister and his party was in power for 12 consecutive years.
“It was only after PDP-BJP coalition Government came to power that the Forest department has served a notice to the former Minister for demarcation of land,” sources said.
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