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Srinagar, Aug 31 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Government will re-examine the prices of land being provided to people under the Roshni Act, Minister for Health Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma said.

He said a number of complaints were received from different quarters across the state that the prices fixed by the government for the nazool as well as other government land was too high.

Under the Roshni Act, a person who possesses government or nazool land and custodian property has to pay a one-time cost on subsidised rate to the government to become its owner after completing all formalities.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Yogesh Swahney of the Congress alleged that there were irregularities in fixing of the rates.

Another member said the cost of land in his constituency in Jammu was very high as compared to nearby land where former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has a house.

When the land is in the same locality why this difference, he asked.

Without naming anyone, Mr Yogesh said political leaders from all parties, including treasury and opposition, have allotted nazool and other government property to their relatives at nominal prices.

He demanded a thorough probe into all allotments and action against those found involved in the illegal allotments.

Mr Yogesh said two custodian houses in his constituency collapsed after the concerned department did not allow them to undertake the repair work.

He was joined by Ajay Sadhotra of the National Conference (NC) who alleged that the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) had fixed the cost of one kanal land at Rs 25,000 in a locality when the cost of the land much more high.

Replying to members question, Mr Sharma said the matter would be re-examined in cases where necessary.

He said the cost of land in the area where Dr Abdullah has a house should be more against the nearby land.

Pandit Sharma said the JDA can fix prices of its own land but there is a committee headed by respective Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and other officials to fix the prices of nazool and other government land.

Intervening in the debate, Leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather said no leader from the NC had allotted any land to any relative on nominal rates.

Those who have indulged in such practices, whether from the treasury or opposition bench, should be brought to book and punished, Mr Rather demanded.

Deputy Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, who was in the chair, directed Mr Yogesh Sawhney to raise the issue with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad since he belongs to the ruling party.

You should bring this issue to the notice of the chief minister and get it resolved, Mr Lone said to Mr Sawhney.

Mr Sawhey however, said he represented the people of his constituency and had the right to raise their issues in the House.

UNI