Question : ENCROACHMENT ON DEFENCE LAND

(a) the details of defence land encroached upon, diverted, sold to private builders and others with illegal constructions thereon in various States location-wise during each of the last three years;

(b) the details of defence land evacuated from encroachment during the above period, State-wise;

(c) the details of action being taken/inquiry conducted by the Government to clear encroachments/constructions on defence land, State-wise and the action taken against the erring officials;

(d) the details of cases of encroachment pending in various courts; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to review the management of defence land so as to ensure scientific auditing/listing of defence land and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.151 FOR ANSWER ON 7.3.2011

Information in the manner asked for is not being compiled. However, as per information available:

One case has come to the notice of Government in which possession of land under occupation of Army for long was ceded to State Government which allotted it to Adarsh Housing Society. No case of defence land being sold to private builder has come to the notice of the Government during the last three years. However there are cases of encroachments. State-wise details are annexed.

Approximately 70 acres of land under the jurisdiction of Directorate General of Defence Estates has been freed from the encroachments during the last three years.

Action for removal of encroachments or illegal occupation of defence land is taken under the provisions of the Cantonments Act 2006 and Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. Action against officials is warranted if there is any connivance. However, no such case has been noticed during the last three years.

227 cases are pending in various courts as reported by Directorate General of Defence Estates.

Steps have been initiated to streamline proper management of defence land and its protection. Two projects, one on Computerization of land records and the other on Survey of Defence land using modern technology have been sanctioned recently. Both projects are to be carried out in time-bound manner.