Srinagar, Apr 04: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President, Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad Mir on Friday said the Land Grants Bill marks a decisive shift towards justice, economic security, and protection of local rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Omar Abdullah-led government is working to undo the impact of past decisions while laying the foundation for a people-centric governance model.
Calling the bill, presented by party Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, a “long-overdue corrective step,” Mir said its introduction in the Assembly reflects political will and commitment to restoring the dignity and rights of the people. “This is not just legislation, it is course correction,” he said.
Addressing a gathering in Shakawari area of Baramulla, Mir said the bill aims to protect lawful occupants, prioritise locals, and establish a transparent legal framework. “For years, people lived under uncertainty. This bill replaces fear with security,” he added.
He said the impact of the issue extends beyond tourist destinations such as Gulmarg, covering areas from Lakhanpur to Kupwara and affecting thousands of families, traders, and entrepreneurs. “This legislation secures livelihoods and restores confidence among those who built their lives on these lands,” he said.
Criticising the opposition, Mir accused the Peoples Democratic Party of taking a contradictory stand. “By opposing a bill that protects locals, the PDP has exposed its duplicity. The people deserve to know whose interests they are defending,” he said.
He reiterated that the government will not allow land to be taken over at the cost of local stakeholders and said the bill ensures safeguards for residents.
Mir also described the provision requiring legislative approval for land allocation to non-locals as a significant safeguard and welcomed the proposal to provide five marlas of land to landless families as a step towards social justice.
