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Srinagar, May 13 (UNI) Under the Roshni scheme, 2846 kanals of state land with a market value of Rs 114.19 crores, was distributed free of cost to 1077 beneficiaries in the Kashmir valley.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad distributed free of cost ownership rights to beneficiaries at a function, first of its kind to be organised in Kashmir valley, which was held in the central Kashmir district of Badgam.

Referring to the scheme, the Chief Minister said that his government took a revolutionary initiative of conferring ownership rights of about 22 lakh kanals of state land on the farmers free of cost.

He said by this measure the farmers would be the owners of the land that till now belonged to the state. This, he said, would facilitate them in obtaining the permanent resident certificate and bank loan.

He said the farmers now being the owners of the land would concentrate more on increasing agriculture production which was imperative for meeting the challenge of food shortage world over.

He complimented revenue officials for successful implementation of the Roshni Scheme.

UNI BAS AM KN1839