Land allotment to Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan raises eyebrows in J&K Legislative Assembly
jj correspondent
Jammu, Mar 08: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges today as the issue of land allotment to former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan sparked a debate, with several legislators raising serious questions regarding the procedure and fairness of the decision.
During the Question Hour, CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami brought attention to the matter, alleging that the J&K government had allotted land to the Sri Lankan cricketer in the Kathua district free of charge. His statement led to further inquiries from other lawmakers, including Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who questioned how a foreign national could be granted land in the region. “This is a significant matter and requires urgent investigation by the government,” Mir remarked, urging the administration to clarify the situation.
In response to the growing concerns, the Minister for Agriculture Production, Javaid Ahmad Dar, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and assured the Assembly that it would be thoroughly examined. “This issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Revenue department, and we will look into the details accordingly,” Dar said.
According to reports from the J&K government, Ceylon Beverages Limited, a company associated with Muttiah Muralitharan, was granted 206 kanals of land in Kathua for the establishment of an aluminum can and beverage filling plant. The project was planned with an investment of Rs 1,642 crore and was expected to create around 500 jobs. However, sources indicate that the company has since requested to surrender the land, raising questions about the feasibility and long-term prospects of the project.
Tarigami, a vocal critic of the land allotment process, accused the administration of bypassing established norms in the land allocation. Speaking to reporters outside the Legislative Assembly, he stated, “The law applies equally to everyone, whether they are influential or ordinary citizens. In this case, the administration has violated the norms by allotting land without adhering to the proper procedures.”
During the session, Tarigami raised a supplementary question, also inquiring about the criteria for allotting land for residential purposes, specifically for the construction of a five-marla house. He emphasized that land should only be allocated based on clear, established guidelines, especially when it comes to commercial ventures. “I am not questioning the individual involved, but I am pointing out that the administrative process has not been followed properly. These norms must be adhered to for all land allocations,” Tarigami asserted.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Minister’s response, Tarigami demanded further discussion on the matter, stating, “We are not satisfied with the explanation provided by the Minister. We have requested a half-hour discussion on this issue during the House proceedings.” He further added, “We will continue to raise this issue during the grant discussions. The law must apply equally to all when land is allocated, irrespective of who the beneficiary is.”
Tarigami also claimed that, based on his information, no payment had been made for the land allotment. “As per my sources, no payment has been collected from the cricketer for the land. The government must confirm whether this information is accurate or not,” he insisted.
Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir, along with other members, voiced their concerns and called for a full-fledged discussion on the matter. “This is a crucial issue, and the House must allocate time to discuss it in detail. The land in question belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and all the proper norms should be followed, whether the land is being sold to a local or a non-local,” Mir argued.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s Ceylon Beverages Limited was allotted 206 kanals of land to set up a Rs 1,600 crore aluminum can manufacturing and beverage filling unit in Kathua. The lease agreement was executed with the concerned department on June 14, 2024. However, with the company now seeking to relinquish the land, the allocation has become a subject of controversy and scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also cleared several major investment proposals in the Kathua district, positioning it as a key industrial hub. Among the largest projects is the Bhagthali Industrial Estate, which will attract an investment of Rs 13,000 crore and create employment for more than 17,000 individuals. The Bhagthali Industrial Estate is being developed across two phases on 3,322 kanals of land and is expected to transform the region into a significant industrial center.
Located strategically in Kathua, a district that connects Jammu and Kashmir with neighboring states such as Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the Bhagthali Industrial Estate is poised to play a vital role in boosting the region’s industrial growth. The government’s focus on large-scale investment and infrastructure development is seen as a crucial step toward revitalizing the local economy and generating sustainable employment opportunities.
As the controversy over Muralitharan’s land allotment continues to unfold, political leaders and members of the Legislative Assembly are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rules governing land distribution in Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing debate highlights the need for a fair and consistent approach to land allocations, especially when such decisions have the potential to shape the region’s economic future.
