Defence land records to be computerised
Even as the saga over the Adarsh Housing society scam is still unfolding, the defence ministry on Thursday decided to computerise records of 1.7 million acre of defence land across the country. Defence Minister A K Anthony said that to avoid Adarsh-like scandals, in which defence land is believed to be transferred for the construction of a high-rise building, defence officials would not be allowed to take any decision on the use of land in their locality and its transfer to a third party, especially for building and construction purposes. Members from both the ruling and Opposition parties supported the ministry’s proposal.
The controversial Adarsh Housing society, meant for wives of Kargil war heroes, was built after local defence personnel gave clearance to the state government over the ownership of land. It was subsequently grabbed by defence and military personnel, bureaucrats and officials and politicians. Currently, the matter is being probed by the defence ministry and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Moreover, some members wanted the ministry to explain the necessity of keeping such huge acreage of land in its possession without its usage. According to sources, The ministry, in its reply, said that it plans to bring amendments to the Works of Defence Act of 1903 so that the land can be utilised properly. Besides, during acquisition of land, farmers and local villagers will be taken into confidence and will be provided due compensation. The Act has not been amended since 1903 and thus the ministry is quite keen to amend it.
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