Date:05/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060555031500.htm

National

Army to speed up paperwork for hiring property in J&K

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: After announcing a massive hike in rentals for orchards and houses occupied by the Army in Jammu & Kashmir, the government on Wednesday issued guidelines simplifying the procedure for hiring property.

The guidelines followed representations from owners whose property was occupied by the armed forces. They will provide relief to owners deprived of rent for periods up to one year because the paperwork was being processed.

Earlier in April, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had directed the armed forces to hike the rentals by two to five times for various categories of land.

The new guidelines have barred the armed forces from occupying any property till the completion of formalities. In case the occupation was being done under an emergency, they must convene a board of officers and complete the paperwork within 60 days. The defence estate office too must be immediately informed so that a meeting of the board of officers for regularisation of occupied land was convened within a month.

To cut down on red tape, an officer of the Controller of Defence Accounts (CDA) would be included in the board of officers. As a result there would be no need for the CDA to insist on vetting the lease deed.

The unit accountant would be allowed to vet the agreement. Once the CDA released the cash assignment, payment must be made to owners within one month.

The two initiatives were taken on the basis of a report by an expert panel set up following complaints from owners. The panel visited Jammu & Kashmir and the details were finalised during a meeting between Mr. Antony and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in Srinagar.

The Ministry of Defence has also delegated increased powers to local army commanders for speedy disposal of rent issues.