Only 2 Persons From Outside J&K Bought Properties Post Article 370 Abrogation – PDF

• How many people from outside J&K have purchased land in UT since abrogation of Article 370?
• Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanad Rai, informed the Lok Sabha on 10^th August that two persons from outside Jammu and Kashmir have purchased two properties in the Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370 that granted special status to the erstwhile state of J&K on August 5, 2019.
• Earlier, when Article 370 was in effect, only the residents of the state were permitted to buy land and immovable assets in J&K. In October last year, the Centre paved the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the UT.

• The introduction of the UT of J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020 has resulted in the repeal of at least 11 land laws in J&K,including the J&K Big Landed Estates Abolition Act that had resulted in famous ‘Land to tiller’ rights.

Land Reforms in Kashmir

• The Kashmir Valley had a history of cruel exploitation of tillers through the periods of Afghan, Sikh and Dogra rule.
• The Sheikh Abdullah’s government brought the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, in 1950,through a slogan land to the tiller.
  • The Act placed a ceiling on land ownershipat 186 kanals (about 22 acres).
  • The rest of the land of a landlord was redistributedamong share-croppers and landless labourers, without any compensation to the landlord.
• This led to most radical land reform anywhere in the world outside the Communist bloc. It brought a social transformationthat has few parallels. It ended landlordism in J&K and paved the way for rural prosperity.
• This land reform was so popular in Kashmir that it continued to be pushed for the next quarter-century. The ceiling was gradually decreased until the last of the reform Acts in 1975.

Who all can buy land in J&K

• As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, no domicile or permanent resident certificate is required for purchasing non-agricultural land in Jammu and Kashmir.

Other Key Features related to land

• Agriculture land will not be given to anybody. But if someone wants to set up an industry they will have to be given land. That will be done through industrial parks.
• The new rules also state that the government may, on the written request of an Army officer not below the rank of corps commander, declare an area as “strategic area within a local area”. This land can be used for direct operational and training requirements of armed forces.

Why only two persons???

1.  When new land procurement laws were formed after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, it was widely opposed by most people, including BJP leaders, in J&K.
2. New land procurement laws said people from outside of J&K were still barred from purchasing agricultural land.
3. The law and order situation in J&K, particularly in Kashmir, has not improved as per the expectations of the Union government. No one wants to purchase properties in troubled areas.
4. Industrialists are not interested to invest in J&K as they see no profits there.
5. Fear of terrorism and uncertainty in Kashmir.
6. Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown are other reasons

• The Ministry Of Home Affairs on 11^th August said that as per the adapted land laws of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government can allow transfer of agricultural land for public purposes such as education, charitable purpose and healthcare.

Q) Which article empowered J&K’s state legislature to define permanent residents and provide special rights to them

1. Article 370
2. Article 35
3. Article 35 A
4. Article 1

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