Srinagar, Apr 1: The government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday allowed the introduction of a private member’s bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking renewal of leases for existing occupants, a move seen as challenging the Centre’s 2022 land grant rules.
The bill was moved by National Conference (NC) MLA Tanvir Sadiq and was permitted after Abdullah, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said he would not oppose its introduction.
This is the first time since the NC assumed office that the treasury benches did not object to a private member’s bill at the stage of introduction.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the motion to a voice vote, which was cleared with support from NC members, while the opposition did not press for a division.
The proposed legislation seeks to counter the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Rules, 2022, which provide that certain expired leases, particularly in the tourism sector, will not be renewed and must instead be auctioned at market rates.
The issue has gained significance in view of expiring leases of several hotel owners in Gulmarg, a major tourist destination in north Kashmir.
If passed, the bill would enable renewal of leases for existing occupants instead of mandating fresh auctions, indicating the government’s position on land-related matters that have seen differences between the Union Territory administration and the elected government.(KNS)
