‘Will safeguard local rights, boost economy, end uncertainty for thousands’
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President, Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad Mir on Friday said the Land Grants Bill marks a decisive shift toward justice, economic security, and protection of local rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The CM Omar-led government is not only undoing the damage caused by past anti-people decisions but is also laying the foundation for a fair and people-centric governance model,” Mir said in a statement issued here.
Calling the bill presented by Party’s Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq a “long-overdue corrective step,” Mir said its introduction in the Assembly reflects both political will and commitment to restoring dignity and rights of the people. “This is not just legislation, it is course correction,” he remarked.
Addressing a gathering in Shakawari, Baramulla, the NC leader emphasized that the bill protects lawful occupants, prioritizes locals, and brings back a clear, transparent legal framework rooted in public interest. “For years, people lived under uncertainty. This bill replaces fear with security,” he said.
Highlighting its wider impact, Mir noted that the issue is not confined to tourist hotspots like Gulmarg but stretches from Lakhanpur to Kupwara, affecting thousands of families, traders and entrepreneurs. “This legislation secures livelihoods and restores confidence among those who built their lives on these lands,” he added.
Taking a dig at opposition parties, Mir accused PDP of indulging in selective outrage and questioned its intent. “By opposing a bill that protects locals, the PDP has once again exposed its political duplicity. The people deserve to know whose interests they are really defending?” he asked.
He reiterated that the NC government will not allow wealth-driven land grabs by outsiders at the cost of local stakeholders. “This bill draws a clear line that J&K’s land is for its people,” he asserted.
Mir also described the provision requiring legislative approval for land allocation to non-locals as a historic safeguard and welcomed the proposal to provide five marlas of land to landless families as a step toward social justice.