Jammu Kashmir Constitutes Board to Determine Replacement Land for Army

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a Joint Board of Officers to identify the balance equal value of land to be transferred to the Ministry of Defence in place of 139.04 acres of land at Tattoo Ground, according to a Government Order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Monday.

As per the government order, the eight-member board will be chaired by the Colonel, HQ 31 Siberia, with the Station Commander, Haft Chinar, serving as a member.

Other members include the Assistant Commissioner (Central) with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Assistant Commissioner Revenue of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla, the Defence Estates Officer, Kashmir Circle Srinagar, and the Assistant Defence Estates Officer, Baramulla.

The terms of reference for the Board include ascertaining the quantum of land handed over by the Army to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and ascertaining the quantum of land handed over by the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the Army.

“Assess the value of the land transferred. Determine the balance equal value of land required to be transferred to the Army instead of the 139.04 acres at Tattoo Ground. Identify suitable parcels of land feasible for such transfer to both the Union Territory and the Army,” it reads.

Pertinently, the Tattoo Ground land issue concerns a long-pending dispute over nearly 139.04 acres (around 700 kanals) of land in Srinagar’s Batamaloo area. The site, historically used by the Army as a garrison and parade ground, has remained under military control for decades.

Successive governments have sought its return for public purposes, including tourism, recreation, and urban development, while the Army maintained that the land was required for operational and security needs. (KNO)