SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir government has revealed that a total of 169 commercial leases have been issued across the Jammu division, with as many as 132 of them having already expired.
According to official data presented in response to a question by Irshad Rasool Kar, the highest number of commercial leases—153—were issued in Jammu district. Smaller numbers were granted in other districts, including four each in Udhampur, Ramban, and Doda, three in Poonch, and one in Kishtwar. No commercial leases were reported in Samba, Kathua, Reasi, or Rajouri.
The government further disclosed that of these, 132 leases have expired, most of them in Jammu district. The standard lease period was three years, which has now lapsed, the government said.
The data also shows that one lease involving state land measuring two kanals in village Gund, Tehsil Banihal, district Ramban, was granted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on February 19, 2021, for a three-year period ending February 18, 2024.
Officials said the expired leases were under the purview of the Revenue Department, and district-wise details of the expired leases have been recorded in official annexures submitted to the assembly.
The government has not yet indicated whether the process of renewal or reissuance of these expired commercial leases has begun.
