Jammu- The Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday witnessed heated discussions over the reported allotment of land in the Union Territory to former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company, Ceylon Beverages.
The issue was raised during the Question Hour by CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, who questioned how a foreign national was granted land in J&K. “A Sri Lankan cricketer has been given land in Kathua. Under what provisions was this allotment made?” Tarigami asked, without naming the individual.
Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir also expressed concern, calling the matter “serious” and demanding an immediate probe. “How can a non-Indian cricketer be allotted land in J&K? This needs urgent attention,” he asserted.
Responding to the concerns, Agriculture Production Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar distanced his department from the matter, stating that it falls under the jurisdiction of the Revenue Department. “We have no information about this. The issue needs to be examined to ascertain the facts,” he said.
Reports indicate that Muralitharan’s company was allotted 206 kanals (25.75 acres) in Kathua at a premium of Rs 8 lakh per kanal for setting up a Rs 1,600 crore aluminum can and beverage-filling plant, expected to generate 500 jobs. However, sources suggest that the company has now applied to surrender the land.
The controversy has sparked demands for transparency, with opposition leaders insisting that the government clarify whether the land was allotted for free and under what conditions.
Replying to another question of M Y Tarigami, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, said that the families having no land of their own are being provided 5 marlas of land for construction of residential houses under PMAY. The land is provided subject to the verification by the Revenue Department.
“The extended families of the landless background are likely to be considered for allotment of land subject to eligibility and guidelines of the scheme being issued from time to time,” he said.
“The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is under implementation in J&K UT and the compensation is determined as per the provisions contained in section 27 and sub section (2) of section 30 of the said Act,” the Minister added.
He said that so far 498 persons have been allotted land, while 2,727 cases were rejected and 442 are under active consideration of revenue authorities
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