TAD News Desk, New Delhi: Center in one of its important move after the abrogation of article 370, has allowed anyone across India the right to own land in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The order was issued the day after BJP won the bitterly contested polls of LAHDC in Leh.
Union home ministry issued the change in land laws through this order of ‘Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020’. This has been strongly protested by the opposition.
Former CM of J&K, Omar Abdullah tweeted that these amendments are not acceptable. He further accused BJP’s cheap politics and deceit lurking behind the order.
“Interestingly the Center waited till the elections to LAHDC (in Ladakh) had concluded and the BJP had won a majority before putting Ladakh also up for sale. This is what Ladakhis got for trusting the assurances of the BJP,” he said.
Former CM Abdullah questioned whether the laws would be applicable in Ladakh or if it is exclusive for J&K.
Many amendments have been made in J&K development act to allow ‘outsiders’ to own land in the UT.
Before August 5, when article 370 and 35A were scraped, residents of the erstwhile state of J&K could only own land in the region and apply for jobs. The permanent resident certificate was replaced by domicile certificate allowing people to apply for jobs in the region, earlier this year. Earlier, J&K legislative assembly had the power under 35A to define the status of permanent residence, who can apply for the jobs, own land and property.
J&K revenue department official told that the latest order does not make any mention of need of domicile to purchase land, while it is clear that non-agricultural land can be bought by anyone, there is no clarity if the agricultural land falls under the ambit of this order.
“Agricultural land can be bought by an agriculturalist only. But we don’t know whether the agriculturalist should be domiciled at Jammu and Kashmir or if he can be a resident of any part of the country,” said the official.
Land rights have been changed despite the centre’s promise of protecting the land of J&K people.
Altaf Bukhari, president of Apni party had led a party delegation to meet PM Modi in March this year regarding the protection of land rights and jobs for locals.
Mr Bukhari had said,
“The prime minister has assured us that the issues pertaining to domicile, land, and jobs will be addressed soon. Nobody will take away the lands and jobs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also said that a law will be brought for this soon. The prime minister told me that they do not want to disempower the majority,” after the meeting with PM.
During the visit, union home minister has assured that there is no question of demographic change, changing domicile or land rights, told Bukhari.
Fears of the hidden plan of BJP to change the demography of the place have been ignited due to the latest move by the centre.
A nefarious design takes a new step, tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, chief PDP.
While introducing the changes in land laws, the Centre has also repealed several other laws. Some of them are:
- J&K Alienation of Land Act, 1995,
- J&K Big Land Estates Act, 1956,
- J&K Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1956,
- J&K Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1962,
- J&K Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act, 1960,
- J&K Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975,
- J&K Right of Prior Purchase Act, 1936,
- Section 3 of the J&K Tenancy (Stay of ejectment proceedings) Act, 1966,
- J&K Utilization of Land Act,2010,
- J&K Underground Utilities (Acquisition of Rights of User in Land) Act.
The people’s alliance for gupkar declaration, a coalition group of certain parties which had vowed to restore the special status of J&K has termed the MHA order a huge betrayal for people of J&K.
Sajad lone, spokesperson and chairman of people’s conference said,
“This is a massive assault on rights of people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and is grossly unconstitutional.”
Source: The Wire
