Lok Sabha Question No. 652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Illegal Transfer of Defence Land
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla, Ravindra Kushawaha, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.652

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## ILLEGAL TRANSFER OF DEFENCE LAND

652. SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a rise in the cases of illegal transfer of defence land across the country during the last three years;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken against individuals/organisations in this regard during the said period;
- (c) the measures being taken to check such incidents in future;
- (d)  whether the Government  has prepared a digital database in respect of defence estate/land/properties across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the total number of cases reported so far in regard to illegal transfer of defence land in various States/Union Territories of the country?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a)  No, Sir.
- (b)  In cases of attempts of illegal transfer based on the nature and circumstances of the case, FIRs/criminal  cases have  been  filed against the sellers/purchasers,  Courts  have  been approached  to  set  aside  such  transactions.    Competent  Revenue  authorities  have  also  been approached  for  not  effecting  mutation  of  such  transactions.    Such  transactions  are  not recognised and no mutation in defence land records are effected.
- (c)  To prevent such incidences in future, the following steps are taken:-
- (i)    The  defence  land  across  the  country  has  been  surveyed  by  Defence  Estates Officers  and  Chief  Executive  Officers  so  as  to  clearly  demarcate  defence  land  to enable Services/users to physically protect it.

(ii)    Matter  has  been taken up with the State Government vigorously  at all levels to mutate remaining defence land in the revenue records.

(iii)  Suggestions  have  been  made  by  the  Ministry  to  the  Department  of  Land Resources for amending the Registration Act so as to make it mandatory for the SubRegistrar to obtain 'NOC' from defence authorities prior to effecting registration of land located in Cantonments/Military Stations.

(iv)  Wherever such incidence is reported, immediate legal action is taken to protect the interest of Government

(v)  Computerisation  of  defence  Land  records  contained  in  General  Land  Registers (GLRs)  and  Military  Land  Registers  (MLRs)  with  the  use  of  Raksha  Bhoomi Software.

(vi)    Strengthening  of  defence  land  management  by  way  of  digitisation  of  land records, survey, demarcation and verification of defence lands and land Audit.

(d)    Yes,  Sir.  The  computerization  of  defence  land  records  under  the  project  'Raksha Bhoomi' was undertaken by the Directorate General of Defence Estates in association with National  Informatics  Centre.    Defence  Land  Records  contained  in  General  Land  Registers (GLRs) and Military land Registers (MLRs) were entered in the Raksha  Bhoomi Software and made operational after verification and authentication of database in July, 2011.

(e)  Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) has informed that 05 cases have come to notice,  in the  last  three  years  (i.e.  from  01.09.2017  to 31.08.2020).  Total  area  involved  is 36.30 acres.

In two cases pertaining to Haryana (Narnaud Hisar, Distt. Hisar, area 29.99 acres) and one  pertaining  to  Punjab  (Muktsar,  area  6.05  acres)  the  respective  State  Governments  are claiming the  defence  land.    In  all  these  cases  the  matter  has  been  challenged by  the  DEO concerned and is presently subjudice in the court of the respective Divisional Commissioners.

In the two cases of Union Territory of J&K (Badamibagh Cantt., area 0.26 acres) the illegal transfer of defence land by private persons through sale deeds have been challenged by way of filing suit in the District Court by DEO concerned.

Another  instance  has  been  noticed  where  an  attempt  was  made  to  illegally  transfer defence land (11.10 acres) in Bengaluru to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation.  Based on the FIR lodged in the case, the said transfer has been stayed.

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