Srinagar: The National Conference on Wednesday expressed concern over “unfounded and unwarranted allegations” levelled at the party and its President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah of encroachment of land in Jammu and being unlawful beneficiaries of the Roshni Scheme.
In a statement, the party denied all such allegations, especially of encroachment of the land on which the residential house of Abdullah has been built in Jammu.
“It is also clarified that such land has nothing to do with the Roshni scheme. The fact that DDC and ULB elections are underway, answers the timing and motive of the allegations and nothing much needs to be added on that score. Needless to add that all questions pertaining to the land in question would be fittingly answered as and when they are called upon to do so by the concerned authorities,” the NC said.
It said that the office premises of the party at Srinagar and Jammu were under lease and on the promulgation of the Roshni scheme, the party had also availed of the benefit of the scheme.
“Without affording the opportunity of hearing to any of the beneficiaries (including the party), the Act was declared to be unconstitutional. Thousands of our citizens who had sought benefit of the scheme are now virtually deprived of their home and hearth for no fault of theirs. The administration instead of challenging the decision of the High Court abdicated its duty and in a manner of unusual promptitude sought the implementation of the judgment,” it said.
The NC called it surprising that similar acts of conversion of leasehold property into freehold property were in vogue in other parts of the country including Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra, but the same legislative exercise in J&K had been declared unconstitutional.
“The party has sought necessary legal advice in relation to the same and is in the process of taking appropriate legal steps to safeguard its interests,” the NC said.

KR Desk