Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Rejects Controversial Land Bill

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has decisively rejected a controversial bill proposed by PDP MLA Wahid Para. The bill aimed to grant ownership rights to residents occupying houses built on government and community lands. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vehemently opposed the bill, labeling it as a potential catalyst for rampant land grabbing.

The bill intended to leverage Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the 'right to shelter,' but was met with significant opposition for bypassing legal precedents. Abdullah recalled the defunct 'Roshni' scheme, drawing parallels to underscore the risks of passing such legislation without stringent checks.

The bill was ultimately put to a vote in the Assembly, where it found minimal support, leading to its defeat. Abdullah emphasized the government's commitment to lawful housing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which prioritizes providing land for house construction to the landless, rather than legalizing illegal occupations.