Question : Encroachment on Defence Land

(a) whether the Government has taken note of encroachment / illegal occupancy on defence land in various States during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof, State / UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has set up an Independent Defence Land Management Authority and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has investigated into the matter of encroachment of defence land by private players in connivance with the defence officials, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) whether there have been several controversies arising out due to encroachments, land-grab bids, mismanagement of leases and grant of No Objection Certificates to private builders to construct buildings on military land / plots and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) Yes, Madam. Encroachment/illegal occupancy on defence land is strictly monitored and remedial actions are taken. State/UT-wise details of encroachments on defence land as on date are given in Annexure-A.

(b) The Government has not set up any Independent Defence Land Management Authority (IDLMA) since as per Cantonment Land Administration Rules, 1937 (CLAR), Acquisition, Custody and Relinquishment Rules, 1944 (ACR Rules) and executive instructions issued by the Ministry from time to time, the responsibility of management and protection of defence land and for removal of encroachments is entrusted to various land management agencies in the Ministry. Monitoring and supervision of respective field offices is undertaken by the Service HQrs and by DGDE as the case may be and overall control is exercised by the Ministry. A Committee under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence with Joint Secretaries dealing with the land matters and representative of DGDE periodically monitors the action taken on removal of encroachment by all concerned.

(c) No matter of encroachment of defence land has been reported involving connivance of the private players with defence officials.

(d) In past, controversies arose on following defence land matters:
(i) Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, Mumbai.
(ii) Lohegaon land title case, Pune.
(iii) Bungalow No. 8-A, Lothian Road, Pune Cantonment.
(iv) No objection certificate granted in Srinagar.
(v) Land transfer to Major Maharaja Hari Singh Cheritable Trust Jodhpur.
(vi) No objection certificate granted in Sukna.
(e) Detection, prevention and removal of encroachments is an ongoing process. While old encroachments are being removed gradually, due efforts are being made to take up the new cases of encroachment.

Following steps have been taken to remove encroachments from Defence land :
(i) Defence land records management system has been strengthened by computerization of defence land records held by Defence Estates Officers and Cantonment Boards.
(ii) Court cases are being pursued to evict encroachers.
(iii) Close liaison is being maintained with revenue and civil police authorities to detect attempt to encroach upon the defence land by encroachers.
(iv) State authorities are approached for removal of encroachers.
(v) Defence lands located in isolated locations are fenced and regular patrolling is being carried out to safeguard the land from encroachers and unauthorised construction.
(vi) Verification of Defence land is being carried out regularly through Board of Officers, with the representatives of Defence Estate Officers and Land Revenue Authorities.

(vii) Eviction notices are issued from time to time as per existing policy of Government of India.

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