Jammu, Apr 1 (NVI): Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday alleged that a proposed amendment to the Land Grants Act is aimed at benefiting the “super elite” of Kashmir, while offering little relief to poorer sections.
Reacting to the introduction of a private member’s bill in the Assembly, which the government did not oppose, Lone said the proposal pertains to the extension of leases on government land, including some of the most valuable real estate in the Valley.
“The bill is aimed to help the super elite of Kashmir. It involves prime land worth anywhere between Rs 70,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore, or even more,” he said in a post on X.
Lone questioned the absence of provisions for economically weaker sections, noting that thousands of families living on small land parcels continue to face hardships.
“Lakhs of poor families living on two or three marlas, or at most a kanal, continue to be persecuted. Do they not deserve a bill?” he asked.
Clarifying that he is not opposed to the legislation per se, Lone maintained that its benefits are skewed. He also sought details from the government on the total extent of leased land and the revenue generated so far.
“I had raised these questions in the Assembly but received no response,” he added.(NVI)
