 Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 18: Waheed Ur Rehman Para, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Pulwama, will introduce a Private Member Bill titled “The Jammu and Kashmir (Regularisation and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025” in the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly. The proposed legislation aims to legalise and confer property rights upon residents who have constructed and lived in houses on state-owned, common, and other lands for decades.
Recognising the need for a humane and pragmatic approach to the long-standing issue of unauthorised residential constructions, Para’s bill seeks to provide security of tenure to thousands of families, ensuring their right to shelter as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
“The population of Jammu and Kashmir has significantly increased over the decades due to urbanisation, migration, and socio-economic changes. Many people have been living in residential structures on state land for years without legal ownership. This bill is a step towards recognising their rights and providing a legal framework for regularisation,” said Waheed Para.
The bill proposes granting ownership or transfer rights to residents who have been in continuous physical possession for over 20 years. It also proposes the regularisation of houses built on state land, Kahcharai land, common land, and Shamilat land as per the Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976. Furthermore, it proposes the property registration so that residents can access financial services such as bank loans.
Meanwhile, the bill also mandates a structured process through which eligible residents can apply for property regularisation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, special provisions will be made for economically weaker sections, widows, and persons with disabilities.
“This is a one-time special measure to bring relief to families who have lived on these lands for generations. It will not only provide legal recognition to their homes but also allow for better urban planning and infrastructure development,” Para added.
The introduction of the bill is expected to generate significant debate in the Assembly, given the historical and legal complexities surrounding land ownership in Jammu and Kashmir. However, Para expressed confidence that the legislation would be seen as a necessary step toward social justice, economic stability, and inclusive development.
Meanwhile, before this proposed bill, Roshni Act, formerly known as the J&K State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, 2001 was a major law that helped people to have ownership on state-land. The bill to be introduced by Waheed Para is considered to be on the pretext of Roshni Act to safeguard the interests of people who are living on state lands over decades. Pertinent to mention that a total of 6,04,602 kanals (75,575 acres) of State land, including 5,71,210 kanals (71,401 acres) in Jammu and 33,392 kanals (4174 acres) in the Kashmir province, was regularised and transferred to the occupants under the Act. This included 5,71,210 kanals (71,401 acres) in Jammu and 33,392 kanals (4174 acres) in the Kashmir province. Similarly, kahchairi is community land used traditionally for grazing of animals. |
