SRINAGAR, OCT 19: In a major decisions, J&K government’s Administrative Council (AC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, authorized the District Collectors to grant permission to an agriculturist to alienate land to a non-agriculturist subject to certain conditions and procedure.
The decision allows the Deputy Commissioners to permit sale of land upto 20 kanals for agriculture and allied activities, and upto 80 kanal in case of horticulture orchards. The entire process will be completed within 30 days of making an application to this effect.
“There have been multiple demands by Mahajans, Khatris and Sikhs for right of sale-purchase of agriculture land for investment in agriculture and allied activities. Their resentment existed on the statutory provision that defined certain section of the society as agriculturist class who alone were eligible to own agricultural land under J&K Land Alienation Act Svt.1995”, an official statement issued by J&K government Tuesday night said.
“The decision thus fulfils the long pending demands from the civil society seeking rights for sale-purchase of the agriculture land for investment in agriculture and allied activities. It is expected to assist in the revamping of the agriculture sector and aid economic growth to create employment in the primary sector of Jammu and Kashmir”, the statement added.
The official statement further said that the “step will provide people from non-agriculturist class with the opportunity to acquire land for agriculture and allied activities and take up such activities as profession to systematically bring new investments in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sectors.”
