Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ranjeet Singh Chib highlighting illegal conversion of world famous Basmati rice growing land into concrete jungle in Sub Division RS Pura, Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat has issued notice to State through Chief Secretary, Revenue Minister and others returnable within four weeks.
The petitioner submitted that thousands of kanals of land has been converted into banquet halls, residential colonies and business complex during last five years without obtaining permission from the Revenue Minister as required under J&K Land Revenue Act.
“In J&K, 65% of the population depends upon agriculture and allied sector but in RS Pura more than 90% people directly or indirectly deal with agriculture sector and if this illegal conversion of land is not stopped at this stage, the cost of Basmati Rice which has increased three times in last 3 years i.e. from Rs 5000 per quintal to Rs 15000 per quantial, would go out of the reach of common man”, the petitioner said.
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