Srinagar: In a significant move, the Centre has on Tuesday notified new laws for the sale and purchase of land in the Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020, the government has paved the way for any Indian citizen to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh which was not possible before Article 370.
In a newly introduced J&K Development Act (XIX of 1970), the government notifies that “omit, being a permanent resident of the State”.
As per the new order, the existing Section 30 of and Part VII of the State Land Acquisition Act, Samvat 1990 was substituted by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (30 of 2013).
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The Centre has repealed 11 existing land laws, including the J&K Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act, 1960; J&K Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975; the J&K Right of Prior Purchase ACT, 1936 AD; Section 3 of the J&K Tenancy (Stay of Ejectment Proceedings) Act 1966; the J&K Utilisation of Land Act, 2010; and the J&K Underground Utilities (Acquisition of rights of user in the land) Act.
J&K Alienation of Land Act, 1995 and the J&K Big Land Estates Act and the J&K Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the J&K Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1962 have been completely repealed by the Centre.
Under the fresh laws, land ownership can't be transferred to anyone but to the government and its agencies. Also, agricultural land can only be sold to an agriculturist.
