J&K Land Grants Rules, 2022

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.
• 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.

Implication

• The new rules have hundreds of properties open for fresh auction where outsiders could also participate.

Source: TH