In February 2024, Colonel Anuj Antal, the administrative commandant of the army cantonment in the border town of Ferozepur, Punjab, wrote to then governor Banwarilal Purohit, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry and the registration of an FIR against district revenue officials for forging records pertaining to 15 acres of land belonging to the military. His allegation: that the piece of land outside the cantonment known as Jahaz Ground-once an emergency airfield for the Indian Air Force (IAF) used as camouflaging ground for weaponry during the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars-had been sold off to private individuals, compromising security near the India-Pakistan border. This is not an isolated incident, across India, land owned by the armed forces-spread across prime locations and worth crores of rupees-has been grabbed by real estate mafias with the alleged involvement of local officials, military personnel and bureaucrats within the ministry of defence (MoD). Indeed, the situation is dire: according to the Centre, an estimated 10,354 acres of defence land is being illegally encroached upon or sold off in fraudulent deals.
The armed forces own 17.31 lakh acres of land across India. Among the three services, the army owns the largest share of 13.79 lakh acres-around 80 per cent. Two lakh acres of defence land is inside 61 cantonments. Outside the cantonments, 15.3 lakh acres are used as army and IAF stations, naval bases, DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) labs, firing ranges and camping grounds.
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av India Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av India Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
In Noel The Tatas Trust
Tata Trusts Anoints Ratan Tata's Half-brother And Tata Group Veteran Noel Tata As Its Chairman. Experts Say The Move Signals Continuity At The Country's Oldest Philanthropic Institution
ULTIMATE URBAN SOPHISTICATION
A visually stunning and comfortable apartment in Mumbai that epitomises contemporary luxury living
TROUBLE ON TRACKS
On a September morning this year, between the quaint railway stations of Chikalthan and Karmad in Maharashtra, the locomotive of the Nandigram Express struck something solid on the track.
Collaborate to Celebrate
This is what happens when a stylist teams up with an iconic home decor brand
STALIN'S LEGACY PUSH
The 71-year-old CM of Tamil Nadu is cranking up the government and party machinery to ensure that the DMK gets a second term in power
Creating Magic
A look at three innovative product designers, who are happily pushing the envelope
SLICE OF LIFE
Writer Anita Desai gives us a masterpiece of a novella at 89
OUT OF THE BOX
Gift hampers are the rage this season, but here's what you need to know before you get one
Play Your Cards Right
Here's how you can become the ace of your space this festive season
Time Capsule
THE NEWLY OPENED AMAR NATH SEHGAL PRIVATE COLLECTION IN DELHI'S JANGPURA EXTENSION IS A MUSEUM FOCUSED ON A SINGLE ARTIST WHICH IMMERSES THE VISITOR IN HIS LIFE AND TIMES