Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: National Conference (NC) additional general secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has called for an urgent review of the Change of Land Use (CLU) regulations in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need to ease restrictions on small land plots intended for housing construction.
Addressing a public meeting at Marh Bagh in Marh Assembly Constituency, Sadhotra urged Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah to take proactive steps in waiving CLU criteria, which he described as a major hurdle for landowners and the housing sector.
Organized by Jasbir Singh and Charanjeet Singh, both block presidents, the meeting highlighted the financial distress endured by J&K residents due to prolonged economic hardship. Sadhotra pointed out that many families, struggling to fund their children’s education, medical expenses, and marriages, are forced to sell portions of their land holdings. However, existing CLU regulations prohibit such transactions, making it difficult for landowners to utilize their properties for financial relief.
Sadhotra also raised concerns over non-cultivable lands within expanded municipal limits that remain unsellable due to CLU restrictions. This, he noted, inhibits urban expansion and housing sector growth, as landowners are unable to obtain revenue records (Farads), thus preventing legal sales. Given the rising housing demand, he stressed the necessity of revising these restrictive land-use laws.
Reaffirming his commitment to the issue, Sadhotra vowed to seek the intervention of CM for policy relaxation, ensuring that small landowners can sell their properties for legitimate purposes such as housing and financial sustenance. He underscored the NC’s dedication to supporting underprivileged communities and fostering economic justice through people-friendly policies.
In addition, Sadhotra expressed concern over the delayed compensation for farmers whose lands have been acquired for the Jammu Ring Road project, urging authorities to expedite its release and prevent affected farmers from seeking legal recourse.
During the event, Jasbir Singh Raju was appointed block vice president, while several other party members and local leaders, including Ghar Singh, Naresh Kumar Bittu, Raghubir Singh Manhas, Baru Ram Bhagat, and Randhir Singh Chib, shared their perspectives on the issue.
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