In News
- The J&K Lieutenant Governor’s administration recently notified fresh land rules under J&K Land Grant Rules-2022 and replaced the J&K Land Grants Rules-1960.
About J&K Land Grants Rules-1960
- It dealt with the special rules to grant government land on lease in the erstwhile State of J&K.
- Prime locations such as Srinagar, Jammu, Gulmarg and Pahalgam were opened for construction of hotels, commercial structures and residential buildings in the past.
- Exception: No such land shall be granted on lease to a person, who is not a permanent resident of the State.
New Land Laws
- No extension of Lease:
- The leases of current landowners will not be extended in case of their lease expiry.
- An expert committee will enlist all properties where the lease had ended. It will be e-auctioned afresh.
- The leases of current landowners will not be extended in case of their lease expiry.
- Reduction in lease period:
- Unlike the previous up to 99 years of the lease, the lease period has been reduced to 40 years.
- Penalty:
- The government has asked the outgoing leaseholders to evict properties or else face evictions under the new rules.
- Eligibility:
- Property:
- It has diversified the use of land on lease to education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, skill development and development of traditional art, craft, culture and languages.
- The land could be leased for hydroelectric projects, stadiums, playgrounds, gymnasiums or other recreational purposes.
- People:
- The rules open bidding to any person legally competent under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
- These rules deem a person or an entity in default of Government Revenue accrued to the government under the J&K Land Grant Act, 1960 or Government convicted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 shall not be eligible for participation in the auction.
- Property:
Implication
- The new rules have hundreds of properties open for fresh auction where outsiders could also participate.
Source: TH