JHANG: The Punjab Board of Revenue has allegedly been sitting on a case to transfer a piece of state land to Jhang Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) for establishment of its office since September 2009.

The Punjab Industries, Commerce and Investment Department vide letter No. SO(C)(IC &ID)1-10/2012(P) had sought report from the Jhang deputy commissioner/district collector on the status of the land allotment caseinfavourofJCCI.

Responding to the letter, the dep-uty commissioner vide letter No. 30/ CB issued the other day, said that a piece of two-kanal land situated at Toba Road adjacent to the Officers Colony within the limits of Mauza Ghumnana, was earmarked for the establishment of JCCI office. And on the recommendation of the district assessment committee, a case (vide No.124/CB, dated Sept 24, 2009) was forwarded to the Punjab Board of Revenue for authorisation of mutation of state land in favour of JCCI.

Talking to the media the other day, JCCI President Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh along with SVP Chaudhry Yousaf said that a request for the grant of a piece of state land for the establishment of chamber office was submitted to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in 2009.

Later, on the directions of the CM, two-kanal land at Mauza Chak Ghumnana had been reserved for the establishment of chamber office. Theland was to be transferred to the chamber after depositing the assessed price, but the BoR had been sitting on the case for the last eight years despite payment, Mr Sheikh said.

He demanded that the Punjab chief minister, chief secretary, and BoR senior member look into the matter.

On the other hand, the district collector office vide recent letter No 30/CB has confirmed that the JCCI state land allotment case had been processed `and the file has been under consideration with the office of the BoR secretary (colonies) for a final decision since 2009.

When contacted to get version of Secretary (Colonies) Muhammad Ilyas on his official phone No. 04299212862, his operator Mazhar Iqbal kept this correspondent on hold, and later said: `The boss is not available at his seat.