10/27/2020 Now, any Indian citizen can buy land in Jammu & Kashmir - Times of India

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Now, any Indian citizen can buy land in Jammu &

Kashmir
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Oct 27, 2020, 02.53 PM IST

NEW DELHI: In a significant move, the Centre has paved the way for
people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the Union territory
(UT) by amending several laws.

The MHA notified what it calls UT of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation

(Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020. The Centre has repealed
or substituted 26 state laws.

In a gazette notification, the Centre has omitted the phrase "permanent

resident of the state" from Section 17 of the Jammu and Kashmir
Development Act that deals with disposal of the land in the union territory.
Now, any Indian citizen can buy land in Jammu & Kashmir

Before repeal of Article 370 and Article 35-A in August last year, non-residents could not buy any immovable property in
Jammu and Kashmir. However, the fresh changes have paved the way for non-residents to buy land in the union territory.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told reporters that the amendments did not allow transfer of agricultural land to non-
agriculturists.

However, there are several exemptions in the Act which enable transfer of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes,
including setting up of educational or health care facilities.

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10/27/2020 Now, any Indian citizen can buy land in Jammu & Kashmir - Times of India

Former Advocate General Mohammad Ishaq Qadri said the amendments have opened floodgates for people from outside
Jammu and Kashmir to buy lands. "Now there is no legal bar on purchase of land here by outsiders," he said.

The MHA notification will come into force with immediate effect.

Reacting to the MHA notification, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said that J&K is now up for sale.

"Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when
purchasing non-agricultural land & transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale & the poorer small
land holding owners will suffer," Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away
with wh… https://t.co/Y8eaXhmgW4

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) 1603789608000

Reacting to the development, People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) spokesperson Sajad Lone said, "The
amendment stripped the permanent residents of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of exclusive right to acquire and hold immovable
property in the state -- now unconstitutionally divided into two Union territories and granting such rights to non State Subjects."

Terming the MHA order as a "huge betrayal", Lone said, "This is a massive assault on the rights of the people of Jammu,
Kashmir and Ladakh and grossly unconstitutional. The Alliance has vowed to fight the anti Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh
measure on all fronts."

The PADG comprises the National Conference, PDP, CPM, CPI, People's Conference, Awami National Conference and the
People's Movement.

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10/27/2020 Now, any Indian citizen can buy land in Jammu & Kashmir - Times of India

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