Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that the NC-led Government must take steps to safeguard the land rights of the people of J&K, at least till the Statehood is restored.
Speaking to reporters here, Mufti said that the PDP wants the Government to bring a bill to secure these safeguards and not resort to mere “optics” by making their MLA bring a private member’s bill.
“PDP has made an effort to address this issue. If the Government does not like it, we want them to bring the bill. And not do it for the sake of it, by bringing a private member’s bill. They should bring a bill on their own; at least do something till the Statehood is restored,” she said.
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Reacting to the statement of LoP Sunil Sharma, Mufti said that he is an MLA and has to make laws, stressing that J&K does not have a “Bulldozer Baba as the CM” who bulldozes properties linked to a particular religion.
“We have an elected Government here, but since 2019, there has been a sense of insecurity regarding resources, jobs, and land,” she said.
Mufti said that as per the new laws after 2019, anyone can get land, but the people of J&K and Ladakh.
“Under industrial development, thousands of kanals have been given to outsiders and only 50 percent to the people of J&K. How many industries were set up? I don’t see anything in Kashmir. How many jobs were created? Jammu will answer it,” she said.
Mufti said the PDP has made a small effort by bringing a bill seeking safeguards to ensure that land rights are protected.
“The security forces are also being given land; they call it a strategic area and do not have to follow any formalities. It is not only in Kashmir – the same is the case in Jammu and even more in Ladakh.”
While stating that the Government can wait till the Statehood is restored, Mufti expressed hope that the Chief Justice of India will decide on it during his tenure.
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