Srinagar, August 25 – In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved the allocation of land on a lease basis to individuals without land ownership, with eligibility limited to residents of the Union Territory. The initiative, known as the “Land to Landless” scheme, was introduced by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in July. While this move has been met with questions from political parties in the region, the administration has issued guidelines clarifying the beneficiaries and the terms of the scheme.
Under the guidelines issued by the Revenue Department, the administration has authorized the allocation of five Marla of state land on a lease basis to eligible beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)/Awas Plus (PMAY-G)/Awas Plus scheme. Those eligible include individuals from the Rural Development Department’s permanent waiting list of 2018-19 who are currently residing on state land, forest land, ‘rakhs’ (grazing lands), and farms. Additionally, those in possession of custodian land and individuals residing on land previously allocated by the government near Dachigam Park for agricultural purposes (where construction is restricted) are also included.
The scheme extends to “any other category of cases who are otherwise eligible for housing under PMAY-G but don’t have any land available for construction,” the official order stated. According to the guidelines, an individual is considered landless if they are a domicile of Jammu and Kashmir, belong to a separate family, and do not possess land in their name or in the name of their family members, or are not entitled to inherit five marlas or more of land.
The land allocation will be carried out under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act of 1960 and its associated rules. Beneficiaries will be granted land on a lease basis by paying a nominal one-time premium of Rs 100 per marla and an annual ground rent of Rs 1 per marla, as specified in relaxation of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Rules of 2022.
The lease period will span 40 years and can be extended for another 40 years, subject to the fulfillment of all necessary formalities and norms. However, the guidelines stipulate that if a beneficiary fails to construct a house on the allocated land within two years, the lease will be promptly cancelled.
To ensure the authenticity of cases, the assistant commissioner (development) of the Rural Development Department in the respective district will verify the details and present the information to the deputy commissioner along with complete beneficiary particulars.
While the scheme aims to alleviate landlessness and provide housing opportunities to eligible residents, it has garnered attention and discussion from various quarters within the region.
