Jammu, Apr 1: For the first time after assuming power in Jammu & Kashmir in 2024, the ruling National Conference allowed the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill seeking the renewal of lease rights for existing occupants whose leases have expired.
The Bill aims to restore the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act, 1960, and its rules to their original form, prior to the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Rules, 2022.
The Bill, moved by NC’s Tanvir Sadiq, is intended to undo the 2022 Rules, which stipulate that all leases-especially commercial ones-will not be renewed once they expire. Instead, such leases are to be put to auction afresh at market rates, rather than at the previously negligible premium.
The Bill assumes significance in light of the expiry of leases to hoteliers in Gulmarg.
When the Bill came up for introduction in the House today, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, stated that he would not oppose it and would allow its introduction.
The bill will be taken up for consideration only after the bills submitted in the House for introduction.
The Speaker then put the Bill’s introduction to a vote. The House permitted its introduction as NC members supported it through a voice vote, while opposition parties chose to remain silent.
This was the first Private Member’s Bill not opposed by the ruling National Conference at the introduction stage since assuming power.
As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly, the Bill must now clear two more stages-consideration and passage. At the consideration stage, the House will hold a discussion on the Bill.
Meanwhile, the opposition slammed the government over supporting the proposed bill.
In a post on X, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma accused the National Conference of misusing the public mandate, alleging that the government’s move to allow a private member’s bill seeking amendments to the Land Grants Act is aimed at protecting elite interests rather than safeguarding public assets and the rights of ordinary citizens.
Sharma said those who voted for the NC believing it would fight for their rights are now feeling let down.“It is with deep regret that I say this: your mandate now appears to be used not for the public good, but to protect elite interests-be it Nedous, the Chief Minister’s personal property, or a circle of influential, cocktail-circuit associates,” he said.
Referring to the proposed legislation, he said, “A private member’s bill titled ‘Amendments to the Land Grants Act’ was introduced, and the Chief Minister lost no time in permitting it. This raises serious concerns. The move seems to be setting the stage for re-leasing vast tracts of government land at throwaway prices, continuing a pattern that has persisted for decades.”
Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone said the bill seeking amendments to the Land Grants Act is aimed at benefiting the super elite of Kashmir.
In a post on X, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone stated that the bill is “aimed to help the super elite of Kashmir.”
“CM sahib allowed the introduction of a private member’s bill. The government did not oppose it. The bill pertains to land-specifically to extending leases on government land that have expired. It involves some of the costliest real estate in Kashmir, worth, I would guess, about 70,000 to one lakh crore rupees, or maybe even much more,” he said.
He questioned what the bill offers for the poorest sections of society.
“Lakhs of poor families have built houses on 2 or 3 marlas, or at most a kanal. They continue to be persecuted daily. They remain as helpless as they have been for decades. Do they not deserve a bill?” he asked.
He maintained that he is not opposed to the bill itself, but stressed that “it is the super elite only who stand to benefit.”
Lone further asked the government to disclose the total amount leaseholders have been paying. “May I ask some questions? I asked them in the Assembly but never got an answer. What is the total land in kanals that belongs to the government and has been leased out? What is the lease amount that has been paid till date?” Lone said. (KNO)
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