Jat Sabha Opposes JDA Auction of 578-C Land, Seeks Revenue Verification and Omar Abdullah’s Intervention
||Black and White Digital News ||
||Parvinder Singh Aug 27, 2026||
Jammu: The controversy over the proposed e-auction of land at Channi Rama by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has intensified, with the J&K Jat Sabha urging the administration to immediately remove the disputed plots from the auction process and conduct a comprehensive verification of revenue and rehabilitation records.
A delegation of the J&K Jat Sabha, representing farmers, refugees and landholders of Jammu Division, on Thursday met Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar (IAS )and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking his intervention in the matter.
The Sabha strongly objected to the proposed auction of Plot No. 3 and the plot at S. No. 4, measuring approximately 1 Kanal and 17 Marlas at Channi Rama, which is claimed by Raj Kumar, son of Kasturi Lal, resident of Channi Rama.
According to the memorandum, the land was allotted to the family for rehabilitation under Cabinet Order No. 578-C of 1954, while the allottee’s rights were subsequently confirmed under Order No. 371 of 1971, including Section 16, and are reflected in the relevant revenue records and Girdawari entries of 1971.
The Jat Sabha further claimed that the rights over the land are protected under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, and argued that the legal and revenue status of the property should therefore be established by the Revenue Department before any auction proceedings are allowed to proceed.
The Sabha said the affected family had already submitted a representation to the Vice Chairman, JDA, on July 16, 2026, requesting verification of the revenue and ownership records before the land was included in the e-auction. It alleged that despite the representation, the matter was not acted upon.
Former Minister and President of the J&K Jat Sabha, Manjit Singh, warned that the organisation would be compelled to launch an agitation if the disputed land was not immediately withdrawn from the auction process and the relevant records properly verified.
Singh also called upon Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the Chairman of the JDA, to personally intervene and ensure that no rehabilitation or agricultural land covered by statutory or administrative protections is auctioned without first determining its legal and revenue status.
He maintained that the 1971 order was intended to safeguard the rights of genuine allottees and alleged that the present controversy had arisen because the relevant protections and revenue records had not been properly considered. He added that if there was any error in the revenue records, the administration should rectify it through due legal process rather than proceeding with an auction.
The Jat Sabha demanded that the Divisional Commissioner constitute a Revenue Commission or verification team to examine all relevant documents, conduct an on-the-spot inspection and determine the actual status of the disputed land before JDA takes any further action.
It also called for the immediate withdrawal of the disputed plots from the proposed e-auction and demanded that all proceedings remain in abeyance until completion of the revenue verification.
The Sabha further sought general directions that land covered under Cabinet Order No. 578-C of 1954, Order No. 371 of 1971, or protected under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act should not be auctioned without prior verification by the Revenue Department.
The memorandum also sought an inquiry into the conduct of the concerned JDA officials, particularly regarding the allegation that the family’s request for verification was not acted upon. The Sabha demanded examination of any alleged violation of directions or orders passed by the High Court in matters relating to such protected land.
The organisation also urged the administration to direct the JDA not to initiate any coercive action against allottees covered by the relevant rehabilitation orders and laws until the legal and policy position is examined and settled.
The Jat Sabha maintained that the Channi Rama case should not be treated as an isolated dispute, arguing that the inclusion of rehabilitation and agricultural land in government auctions without prior verification could create insecurity among similarly placed farmers, refugees and landholders across Jammu Division.
The delegation cautioned that any attempt to dispose of land without first establishing its legal and revenue status could result in hardship, unnecessary conflict and prolonged litigation.
The delegation was led by Manjit Singh and included Sukhnandan Choudhary, Former Minister and Senior Vice President, J&K Jat Sabha; Taranjit Singh Tony, Former DDC and Senior Vice President; Dawarka Choudhary, Jammu District President; and Jarnail Choudhary, Spokesperson, J&K Jat Sabha.
The delegation apprised Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar of its concerns and sought immediate intervention, verification of the revenue records and protection of the rights of genuine allottees.
The Jat Sabha expressed confidence that the Divisional Commissioner would ensure an impartial examination of the matter strictly on the basis of revenue records and applicable legal provisions.
“This is not merely a question of one plot or one family. It is a question of whether legally protected land rights will be respected before government agencies proceed with an auction. We will strongly pursue the matter until the records are verified and the rights of genuine allottees are protected,” the Sabha said.
