Historic breakthrough for JU: Army to vacate university land

JAMMU: In a significant development for the University of Jammu, the long-pending matter concerning 147 kanals and 11 marlas of land adjoining its main campus at Rakh Bahu, under the possession of the Army has been resolved, paving the way for the University to address its growing requirements for academic and infrastructural expansion. As per the letter of the Ministry of Defence,Govt of India, the UT Administration of J&K shall hand over land measuring 2062 Kls 17 Mls in Tehsil Nagrota and 62 Kls in Tehsil Jammu,J&K to the Army, in lieu of the land currently under their possession adjoining main campus of the University at Jammu. The matter has its roots in the original allotment of land for the establishment of the University campus in 1973. Of the land allotted by the then State Government at Rakh Bahu, a portion remained under the possession of the Army. Over the years, the University, along with the J&K Government, continued to pursue the matter with the concerned authorities at different levels. The issue, however, gained renewed thrust and momentum over the last four years after Prof. Umesh Rai took over as Vice-Chancellor, with the University taking it up with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, and subsequently pursuing it in coordination with the J&K administration, Defence authorities and other concerned departments, with the crucial support and intervention of Lok Bhawan, Jammu and Kashmir. The process envisages the exchange of 147 kanals and 11 marlas of land adjoining the University campus. Welcoming the development, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, described it as a historic step towards meeting the University’s future academic and developmental requirements. Prof. Rai and  the entire University fraternity, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Droupadi Murmu,  Hon’ble President of India, Rajnath Singh,  Minister of Defence, Sh. Manoj Sinha,  Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor, University of Jammu, Sh. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army for their support and cooperation in facilitating the resolution of the long-pending matter. He also placed on record the University’s deep appreciation for Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, for his tireless support and coordination; the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, for playing an instrumental and solution-oriented role; the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir; local Defence authorities; civil society and all other  stakeholders whose support and efforts contributed to bringing the matter to its present stage. Prof. Rai said that bringing a matter of this nature to its present stage required sustained coordination among different institutions and authorities, and the University deeply appreciates the support it has received from all concerned. Recognising the long institutional history of the matter, the Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the efforts made by his predecessor Vice-Chancellors and University administration in pursuing the issue over the years. “The University has grown considerably over the years, with new academic programmes, research initiatives and student facilities adding to its requirements. The availability of the vacated land will help us plan future development in a more systematic manner and create the infrastructure required for our students, scholars and faculty,” Prof. Rai said. “This has been possible because of the support and cooperation of all those involved. The University is grateful for this collective effort and will make the best possible use of this opportunity to strengthen its academic and research facilities for the benefit of its students and scholars,” the Vice-Chancellor said. With the fulfilment of the long-pending requirements, the University would plan the utilisation of the additional space with a long-term perspective, with emphasis on developing academic and research infrastructure, innovation and student facilities.