Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that her party will bring a bill to secure land holding rights in J&K to the Assembly.
Addressing a press conference here, Mufti, while urging the NC-led Government to take action, said the bill aims to safeguard the land holdings of individuals, families, and institutions that have been in continuous possession of land for 30 years or more.
“The bill seeks to secure their rights, prevent arbitrary evictions, and ensure economic and social security across J&K, including leased land to hotels and institutions in Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” she said.
Mufti said the PDP had introduced the bill earlier as well but it was not taken up.
“We have brought this bill again. The Chief Minister should frame a policy in this regard and, until then, defend these people in court so that such evictions do not continue,” she added.
Mufti said that after 2019, issues concerning land and jobs have created a sense of insecurity among the people.
“Bulldozers were used here too. People lost their homes, shops, and other establishments, and no one paid heed to their plight. The situation is no different in Jammu,” she said.
She alleged that despite the Revenue Department being with the Chief Minister, the Government has failed to introduce laws to protect the poor, including those associated with tourism whose leases have expired.
“The Government should have prioritized a bill to safeguard the rights and properties of common people, including hoteliers who provide livelihood to many and keep tourism alive,” Mufti said.
Referring to the 2022 law under which lease terms ended, she said, “At that time, hotels were not taken over, but now that the Government is in place, they have been taken over while the administration remains silent. I fail to understand this silence.”
Mufti said the Government should ensure that locals are given priority if any auction of properties takes place.
“People from outside have their eyes on these hotels. Before elections, the Government had promised to set things right. I don’t know if they now have some understanding with private players, but the first right should go to the people of J&K,” she asserted.
Mufti urged the Chief Minister to take inspiration from former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“He worked for the welfare of people and took several initiatives despite having an LG above him. Omar Abdullah should also stand with the people of J&K,” she said.
She further urged the Chief Minister to fulfill promises that do not require the involvement of the LG, including free electricity, ration, and one lakh jobs.
“The land issue is a burning concern that must be addressed immediately,” she added.
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