Land in Jammu and Kashmir can be purchased by any citizen of the country. A notice to that effect was released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday. The notice, however, specifies that land for agriculture will not be taken away. The Center's notification states that this order will be named the Third Order-2020 of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws).
In August of last year, prior to the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35-A, non-residents were not allowed to purchase any immovable property at J&K. The latest changes have, however, opened the way for non-residents to purchase land in the territories of the union.
The Centre has also announced that the "permanent state resident" provision has now been omitted.
This order was enforced with immediate effect after the Center's notification. The order notes that the reading of this order would refer to the General Order Act of 1897. This would be because the laws applicable in the entire area of India are to be interpreted.
Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir said that we want the establishment of external industries in the state; investment in such industrialised land is important. But only with the citizens of the state can the cultivated lands stay.
"Unacceptable amendments to the land ownership laws of J&K. Even the tokenism of domicile has been done away with when purchasing non-agricultural land & transfer of agricultural land has been made easier. J&K is now up for sale & the poorer small land holding owners will suffer," Omar tweeted.