Noise over land transfer to SASB is not based on facts: J

Srinagar, Jun 28 (UNI) Putting at rest the controversies being raised over the issue of transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the Jammu and Kashmir government clarified that the noise being made was not based on facts.'' Notwithstanding noises being made about the government order diverting 39.88 hectare of land under compartment No 63a/Sindh in Sindh Forest Division to SASB, an official spokesman today said according to the Government Order number 184-FST of 2008 dated May 26, the diversion of the land is for ''raising pre-fabricated structures only for camping purposes of pilgrims without going in for construction of permanent structures at Baltal and Domail by SASB.

The order laid down specific terms and conditions that the proprietary status of the forest land will remain unchanged and the land so diverted will be utilised only for the purpose for which it has been diverted.

It will not be transferred to any other agency without approval of the Forest Department, the order further said. The land shall not be mortgaged, re-assigned or sub-leased by user agency in any manner whatsoever to any other agency, the order added.

UNI BAS MYK BDP AS1233