Omar Abdullah Highlights Provisions to Prevent Misuse of Agricultural Land in J&K

Jammu,March 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preventing the misuse of agricultural land in Jammu and Kashmir, citing key provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996.Responding to a query raised by legislator Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah stated that Section 133-A of the Act mandates that agricultural land cannot be repurposed for non-agricultural use without the explicit approval of the District Collector. However, he noted that up to 400 square meters of agricultural land can be converted for residential purposes under the same section.The Chief Minister further elaborated on Section 133-C, which stipulates that any unauthorized conversion of agricultural land would result in the land escheating to the government. Violators of Sections 133-A, 133-B, or 133-BB face penalties of up to ₹25,000, enforceable by the Collector or an Assistant Collector of the 1st Class.To streamline and regulate land conversion, Abdullah informed the House that the Board of Revenue has established comprehensive regulations, including prescribed forms and a fixed fee structure, along with monitoring provisions.Additionally, he highlighted the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Act, which governs the leasing of state land. The revised Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Rules, 2022, were officially notified under S.O. 668 on December 9, 2022, further reinforcing land governance in the Union Territory.Government Committed to Transparent Land Use PoliciesThe Chief Minister’s remarks underscore the administration’s efforts to uphold transparency and accountability in land-use policies, ensuring that agricultural land remains protected while facilitating lawful development.