Explained: What Are The New Land Grant Rules That Have Caused Uproar In J&K?

The new land laws in Jammu and Kashmir have sent the business community in a tizzy. As per the new laws, owners no longer have the right to hold properties on leased land. Political parties have decried the move and claimed it would cause further “disempowerment” of the people of the Union Territory.

What are the new land reforms?

The J&K government has notified Land Grant Rules-2022 which state that all the outgoing lessees, except subsisting/expired leases for residential purposes, shall immediately handover the possession of the land taken on lease to the government, failing which the outgoing lessee shall be evicted.

What does it mean?

With the announcement of Land Grant Rules-2022 by the LG Manoj Sinha-led administration, the business community and hoteliers in the valley are in a state of panic.

The erstwhile J&K Land Grants Rules 1960 under which land was granted on lease for 99 years and had the provision of extension as well no more exists, post 5 August 2019, when J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 was enacted.

Now, the government has decided to hold the auction online for the leased land.

This means the hundreds of business establishments, hotels and shopping complexes in Jammu and Kashmir might have to be closed down, since most of these commercial establishments have sprung up on the leased land.

Who are eligible to lease land under the new law?

Under the new land rules in Jammu and Kashmir, land can be leased for education, healthcare, tourism, skill development and recreational purposes.

The new land law also states that land can also be provided to ex-servicemen, war widows, families of deprived categories, migrant workers, building and construction workers and sufferers of natural calamities.

Besides, it also states that the outgoing lessees will be paid for any structure built on the land, ‘provided the lessee has not violated any of the conditions of the lease’.

How are political parties viewing this new move?

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers, both Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have criticised the government’s move.

The junior Abdullah has said that move is aimed at “snatching land from locals and handing it over to outsiders”.

"What is the need of evicting people or snatching land from them? The leaseholders should have the first right to renew, or refuse lease. It seems that the order is clear that the government wants to snatch land from locals and hand it over to outsiders," Omar has said.

Mufti has also criticised the government’s new move.

Apni party chief Altaf Bukhari has also lambasted the government over the move.

Bukhari has said the move is “inhumane and draconian”.

Meanwhile, LG Sinha has said the move is aimed at benefiting common masses.