The News Freedom
(www.thenewsfreedom.in)
Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur, November 15
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday reclaimed 203 acres of illegally encroached panchayat land in Bhambotar village of Talwara block of district Hoshiarpur. While addressing reporters at the village community center, the Panchayat Minister said that a total of 252 acres of panchayat land across four villages in Bhambotar had been encroached upon, of which 203 acres were voluntarily vacated by the village panchayats and farmers.
Giving details, he said that some people had constructed houses on the remaining land. Assuring a forthcoming policy to resolve such encroachments, he vowed to prevent any inconvenience to the people. He said that the reclaimed land was utilised for planting khair and teak trees, which are now ready for harvesting. These trees will be harvested after taking approval from the department and the amount received from harvesting will be deposited in the state exchequer.
He said that around 13000 acres of Panchayat lands have been reclaimed from illegal encroachment across the state. He emphasised that the department is expediting efforts to resolve court cases, aiming to vacate remaining encroached panchayat land soon.