Centre amends laws, allows outsiders to buy land in J&K

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 27

More than a year after the nullification of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, the Centre today paved the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the union territory by amending several laws.

The government issued a notification repealing 12 laws enacted by the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and brought about changes in 14 other Acts.

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.

Amending the domicile law, the government has allowed “spouse of a domicile to be deemed as domicile”. The norm was earlier applicable only to the children of Union Government officials posted in J&K for a period not less than 10 years.

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 healthcare facilities.

A new body--J&K Industrial Development Corporation--has been set up and if it is unable to acquire land, the government can invoke the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation Act and acquire the land on behalf of the corporation for public purposes. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), 2016, will now also be applicable in the UT.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the amendments were "unacceptable".

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