WRD to return ‘unneeded’ land to administative deptts concerned

 

* Estate Managers entrusted with the task of completing the procedure of return of land
* Estate Managers also asked to construct compound walls around WRD properties to protect them from encroachment

Staff Reporter
Almost one-and-a-half year after it decided to appoint Estate Managers to protect its immovable assets, Water Resources Department (WRD) has issued detailed guidelines etching out their duties. Among other duties, Estate Managers have been entrusted with the task of completing procedure for return of ‘unneeded’ land to administrative departments concerned.
This comes as a major development. As per the guidelines issued on Wednesday, WRD has asked its subordinate offices to appoint Junior Engineers as Estate Managers at circle and division level. At the offices of Chief Engineer, Executive Director of irrigation development corporation, Director General etc, Deputy Engineers will be appointed as Estate Managers. These officers will be given no other tasks than those related to management of lands/properties of WRD in the jurisdiction of offices at respective levels. The decision regarding appointment of Estate Managers was taken in August 2012, but the process gained momentum in November 2013. However, Estate Managers could not be appointed from among the working staff for want of detailed guidelines.
Among the guidelines issued on Wednesday, there is one very interesting clause. It pertains to return of ‘unneeded’ land to administrative department concerned. The land/property annexed to WRD but not needed by it anymore will be returned to original department concerned. However, a detailed scrutiny will be taken up whether the land/property in question is not needed anymore. Estate Managers have been given the task of completing all necessary formalities if a decision regarding return of the said land/property is taken. 

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on January 24, 2014

Apart from this important task, the Estate Managers have been asked to perform various duties. These include keeping updated the records of WRD’s lands, colonies, godowns, and other immovable assets; updating worth of Government buildings and lands; obtaining title of lands/properties already in possession of WRD; maintaining estimates and plans of WRD buildings; maintaining records of bill/tax payments; preparing lease agreement; renewal of lease; timely payment of taxes/bills; keeping record of income from lands/properties/parks etc; taking necessary measures to prevent encroachment/theft/damage to properties/lands; conducting regular inspection of immovable assets and maintaining inspection reports; constructing compound walls around properties etc. Estate Managers have been empowered to lodge a complaint at respective police station in case of trespass or encroachment.
The step taken by WRD is a part of the State Government’s initiative of maintaining land records of its departments. As far as WRD is concerned, it acquires land for different irrigation projects. Besides, it has immovable assets in the form of colonies, godowns etc. Despite having such a huge land stock and constructed property in every district of the State, it did not have an officer dedicated to the task of keeping records in this regard. WRD Deputy Secretary S S Dangle -- in a letter written to all Directors General, Executive Directors, and Chief Engineers under the department in November 2013 -- had observed that land and property of the department was ‘not being protected properly, specially from encroachments’. ‘The Hitavada’ had reported about the instructions.