JKPC General Secretary and AJKSA President Molvi Imran Ansari has raised serious concerns over the proposed J&K Land Grants (Restoration and Protection) Bill, 2025.Ansari said the bill is being presented as a move to “save the soil,” but in reality, it appears to protect certain influential groups who have long benefited from public land.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He pointed out that Gulmarg is just one example, while similar situations exist across Jammu and Kashmir, where valuable land and commercial spaces are controlled by a limited number of people. According to him, the issue is not about outsiders, as everyone agrees that land should remain with locals. The real concern, he said, is which locals actually benefit.
“For years, a few families have turned public land into private profit centres, earning large amounts while paying very little in lease,” Ansari said.
He added that this trend is not new and accused previous governments, including PDP and Congress, of following similar practices. He claimed that the current government is continuing the same system, but with better presentation.
Ansari stressed that just because someone has built on leased land and recovered their investment does not make them the rightful owner. He called for a fair and balanced solution instead of extending leases to a select group, especially those with political links.
He suggested key reforms, including breaking the monopoly by introducing short-term leases of 5 to 10 years. He also proposed opening these opportunities to local youth and entrepreneurs, along with easier payment options such as instalment-based models.
Most importantly, he demanded full transparency, including making public all details of land, leaseholders, and lease timelines.
Ansari concluded by saying that all attention is now on the J&K Lieutenant Governor to ensure that the policy truly benefits the public, especially young people, rather than a small group of elite families.
“Otherwise, this will not be land protection, but protection of privilege,” he said.
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