Chaos Erupts in J&K Assembly Over Free Land Allotment to Muralitharan’s Company
Srinagar, March 10: A political storm erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after reports surfaced that former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company, Ceylon Beverages, was allotted 25.75 acres of land in Kathua “free of cost” for a ₹1,600 crore bottling and aluminium can-manufacturing plant. Opposition MLAs strongly objected to the land allotment, questioning the government’s decision. CPM leader MY Tarigami criticized the move, alleging that it violated established norms. “This land belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. How can it be given away for free?” he asked, demanding a government response. Joining the protest, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir termed the matter as “serious” and called for an investigation. The uproar led to heated exchanges in the Assembly, with MLAs pressing for clarity on the deal. Responding to the allegations, J&K Minister Javed Ahmad Dar stated that the government had no prior knowledge of the land allotment. “This is a revenue department matter. We will look into the facts and take necessary action,” he assured. The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with political parties questioning the rationale behind offering prime land to a foreign company at no cost. The government is now under pressure to provide a detailed explanation on the deal and its potential impact on the region’s economy. (With inputs from PTI)
