Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 Oct: BJP State Spokesperson Ravindra Jugran met Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal and submitted a memorandum seeking details regarding the government and public land of the Gram Panchayats that were merged into the Dehradun Municipal Corporation during the expansion of its jurisdiction in 2018.
In his memorandum, Jugran sought clarification on whether all government land, public land, drains and natural water channels (naalas and khaals), agricultural land, forest and scrubland, and other such land falling within the merged Gram Panchayats have been duly recorded in the records of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation.
Jugran stated that the land belonging to the Gram Panchayats that were merged with the Municipal Corporation is government/state and public property, and its complete details should be properly recorded in the official records of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation.
He said that there is growing concern among the general public that, allegedly in connivance with and under the protection of land mafia networks, such land is being illegally occupied and traded. He further alleged that natural drainage channels and watercourses are being blocked and filled up, resulting in large-scale encroachment upon naalas and khaals. Such activities are also adversely affecting the environment.
Jugran pointed out that the prevailing market value of land in the merged Gram Panchayats ranges from approximately Rs 8,000 to Rs 80,000 per square yard, making the protection and proper documentation of such land particularly important.
Following the submission of the memorandum, the Mayor directed the Municipal Commissioner to take necessary action in the matter.
The memorandum also sought a detailed investigation into the matter and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the alleged encroachments, illegal transactions and the status of government and public land in the merged areas.
Dr Deepak Joshi and social worker Ravindra Singh Gusain were also present on the occasion.
