‘DC has no explanation for thousands of acres transferred in Mohali since 1966’

In his detailed report submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 29,Shekhar has accused the authorities of giving “incomplete,palpably false,misleading,incorrect” and “concealing” information for “reasons best known to them”.

According to the report,the “transfer” or “reduction” of over 21,000 acres of land in the records has not been explained by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC); District Forest Officer (DFO),Ropar; District Revenue officer and District Development Panchayat officer (DDPO),Mohali.

The details furnished by Shekhar reveal that the reports sent by the authorities with regard to the transferred land have many discrepancies.

Referring to a report sent by Mohali DC,Shekhar stated: “Reduction to the extent of 16,312 acres and 8 marlas of mustarka malkan land has not been explained. The report of Tehsil Dera Bassi shows 8,580 acres as the total shamlat land in 1966,but in the current jamabandi (mutation),it is 7,218 acres. A difference of 1,362 acres has not been explained.”

“In 1966,total mustarka malkan land was 287 acres but the current record shows 254 acres. The difference of 33 acres has not been explained. According to the report of Tehsildar,Mohali,the total shamlat or panchayat land transferred to various persons in 1966 was 249 acres. In the current mutation records,it is 149 acres,2 kanals and 16 marlas. The difference of 99 acres,7 kanals and 4 marlas has been shown only in six villagers,which is not satisfactory. No explanation has been given about the rest of the villages,” Shekhar has submitted in his report.

The report says: “292 acres,3 kanals and 4 marla of land has been shown as transferred in the name of private persons in seven villages… (but) no list of private persons has been attached. (And the) present status (of the land) has also not been explained.”

Referring to the report of Naib Tehsildar,Majri,Shekhar’s report states: “In the 19 villages,shamlat land in 1966 was 18,848 acres 1 kanal and 14 marla; as per the current mutation,it is 4,616 acres,5 kanals and 1 marla. Difference of 14,231 acres,4 kanals and 13 marla has been shown but insufficient explanation is given,showing that some sort of facts have been concealed. Such a large difference of land cannot be left unexplained.”

According to Shekhar’s report,information about the total shamlat deh land,jumla mustarka malkan land,forest land,land under hills,under drains and under illegal occupation has not been given.

“Area under illegal occupation has not been shown and facts (have been) concealed in case of Kansal,Kanaura,Teour,Kuranwala,Habitpur,Mullanpur Garib Dass and Pragpur villages,” the report states.

Irked over the attitude of the authorities,especially the Mohali DC,Shekhar had requested the High Court to take stern action against them. Subsequently,the HC had issued contempt notice against Mohali DC Prabhjot Singh Mand on the same day.