Now anyone can buy land in Jammu and Kashmir

The Union Home Ministry has repealed the old 11 laws of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Along with this, any Indian can buy land here except agricultural land without domicile.

After repealing Article 370 on August 5 last year, this order from the Ministry of Home Affairs is considered very important.

The political parties of Kashmir reacted strongly to this notification and said that it is like putting 'Kashmir on SALE'.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha in his response to this notification in Srinagar said that agricultural land has been reserved for farmers and no one will interfere in it.

The order comes into force with immediate effect. The General Clauses Act, 1897 applies for the interpretation of this Order as it applies for interpretation of laws in force in the territory of India, the order stated.

With the abrogation of Article 370, the act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, 'Jammu and Kashmir' and 'Ladakh'.

Earlier in September 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir administration amended the Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 309 of the Constitution of India, read with Section 15 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, 2010, the administration hereby makes the following amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020," read an official notification.

These provisions are applicable to the land recorded as agricultural land including village abadideh, by whatever name called, in the revenue records being used for agriculture purposes or for purposes subservient to agriculture or for pasture or being used for residential purposes in rural areas.

The law defines agriculturists as the persons cultivating land personally in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir as on such date as may be notified by the government.

It also empowers the government to define agriculturists, as it states that agriculturist means such category persons as may be notified by government from time to time.

On 5 August last year, the Government of India repealed Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories (UTs). Jammu and Kashmir had special status under Article 370.

Before the removal of Article 370 last year, no one, except the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, could buy land here.

Recently, the Government of India had said that only Domicile certificate holders or permanent residents here can buy land or property in these union territories.

Political parties react

The notification has received strong reactions from political circles in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his displeasure on Twitter. Criticizing this move of the Center, he said that it is like putting Jammu and Kashmir on 'Cell'.

Omar Abdullah tweeted, "The amendment to the land ownership law of Jammu and Kashmir is unacceptable." Even the necessity of domicile for the purchase of non-agricultural land and transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. Jammu and Kashmir is now ready for sale and this will harm the poor and small land owners. "

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 (@OmarAbdullah) October 27, 2020

Apart from this, Omar Abdullah next tweeted that there is a confusion about whether this law will only apply to Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir his party chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has reiterated his party's stance, reiterating the state's former status as well as the demand for occupant rights for its residents on the land and jobs here.

Bukhari said, "The party will express its objections to the top leadership of the country after reading in detail the gazette notification issued from the central government.

He said, "From the very first day, our party's stance on these important issues is very clear. People should understand that the long-standing guarantee given to us in the Constitution was withdrawn and all that was left was Article 370 on 5 August 2019 And we were snatched away with the repeal of 35-A. His party will continue its fight for the rights of the people and will continue to oppose any move against the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "

Bukhari is considered to be close to the top leadership of the BJP, the ruling party at the Center.