SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Friday lashed out at the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for changes in the land use laws.
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Omar Wrote: “Allowing use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is another nail in the coffin of the “land to the tiller” reforms in J&K. This landmark reform has been a major reason for the low levels of poverty and it will also threaten the food security of the people of J&K.”
Allowing use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is another nail in the coffin of the “land to the tiller” reforms in J&K. This landmark reform has been a major reason for the low levels of poverty and it will also threaten the food security of the people of J&K. https://t.co/BsTwQfjDvh
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 17, 2021
“The fact that this conversion of land use doesn’t even require the 15 year domicile certificate as a prerequisite will also rekindle fears about the motives behind such decisions,” said Omar in a tweet.
The fact that this conversion of land use doesn’t even require the 15 year domicile certificate as a prerequisite will also rekindle fears about the motives behind such decisions.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 17, 2021
Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti said that the new laws enabling conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural purposes reveals designs to engineer demographic change in Jammu and Kashmir.
“JK admin’s new policy enabling conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural purposes reveals their nefarious designs of engineering demographic changes. The development agenda is a ruse. Latest regulation doesn’t even require the 15 yr domicile certificate as a prerequisite,” she tweeted.
JK admin’s new policy enabling conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural purposes reveals their nefarious designs of engineering demographic changes. The development agenda is a ruse. Latest regulation doesn’t even require the 15 yr domicile certificate as a prerequisite https://t.co/ZNjnY0NEJu
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 17, 2021
“After depriving locals of their rightful share of govt jobs, such abrupt policy decisions that pave the way for outsiders to buy land in J&K are taken only to further disempower locals,” she added.
After depriving locals of their rightful share of govt jobs, such abrupt policy decisions that pave the way for outsiders to buy land in J&K are taken only to further disempower locals .
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 17, 2021
Former MLA Kulgam and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also criticised the changes made to the land use laws.
“The slogan of “development” is a red herring. Converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is a plot to serve the interests of corporate and real estate (sic),” Tarigami tweeted.
The slogan of "development" is a red herring.
Converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is a plot to serve the interests of corporate and real estate.
It will adversely impact our food security and be insidious for our economy.https://t.co/8hU3aYiEue
— M Y Tarigami (@tarigami) December 17, 2021
The J&K government on Thursday introduced changes to the land use pattern, lifting the ban on conversion of agricultural land for non-farm purposes.
However, permission has been granted to allow up to 12 ½ standard acres against a fee of 5% of the market value of the land notified under the Stamps Act for non-agricultural use.
