More than 90% land cannot be sold to outsiders; 11 Land Laws repealed, Regressive & outdated provisions removed
Jammu 2 November (KNB): Government has repealed 11 Land Laws that existed in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir replacing the old, regressive, intrinsically contradictory and outdated laws with a set of modern, progressive and people friendly provisions.
The new land laws will not only afford protection to over 90% of the land in J&K from being alienated to outsiders but will also help revamp the agriculture sector foster, rapid industrialization, aid economic growth and create jobs in J&K, Principal Secretary, Information and government spokesman, Rohit Kansal stated.
While interacting with the media on a host of issues related to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Fifth Order, Rohit remarked that the repealed laws were made to serve the old agrarian based economy and were required to be modified for modern economic needs. Besides, they were beset with ambiguities, contradictions and redundancies and in many cases, were clearly regressive. For instance, A number of Laws had contradictions leading to scope for discretionary interpretation and rent seeking e.g. ‘Family’ was defined differently in different laws, provision of alienation and conversion of land were different in different Laws and the ceiling of 182 kanals fixed in Big Landed Estates Abolition Act was superseded by 100 standard kanals in the Agrarian Reforms act, 1976, yet both provisions continued to coexist creating contradiction and confusion.
He said, the Prohibition of Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975 not only prohibited alienation of orchard lands; it surprisingly restricted creation of new orchards too. Similarly, the old Agrarian Reforms Act prohibited the selling of land distributed to tillers even after 44 years. The Right of Prior Purchase Act severely constrained an owner’s right to dispose off his own property.
The new Land Laws are modern and progressive even while affording adequate protection against alienation of land to outsiders. A number of protections have been built into the new land laws on similar lines as has been enacted in other states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. To begin with, no agricultural land can be transferred to any person from outside the UT of J&K but can only be sold to an agriculturist from within J&K. No land used for agricultural purpose can be used for any non-agricultural purpose. The terms agricultural land and agriculturist have been unambiguously defined to include not just agriculture but horticulture and allied agro-activities as well, Rohit said.
He said, agriculturist has been defined as “a person who cultivates land personally in the UT of J&K”. The safeguard on agricultural land alone would ensure that more than 90 percent of land in the UT, which is an agricultural land remains protected, and with the people of J&K.
Adding that the new provisions not only address the infirmities in the old set of laws but also provide for modern and enabling provisions to aid in the agricultural and industrial growth of the UT of J&K. While progressive provisions of the repealed laws have been retained by including them in the modified Land Revenue Act, new provisions have been added to modernize existing laws. There are now provisions for setting up of a Board of Revenue, Regional planning for regulating use of land, alienation and conversion, land lease, consolidation and Contract Farming.
Rohit said that the Board of Revenue comprising senior officers will not only be the Developing Authority for preparing regional plans but can notify a scheme of consolidation of land holdings and also a scheme for restricting and regulating the fragmentation of agricultural land holdings to make agriculture viable.
Answering the question regarding Land Laws, he said UT of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Fifth Order, 2020- a number of changes have been made in the existing laws, particularly, laws related to land management: 11 old laws have been repealed and 4 major laws modified
Regarding the variety of reactions from political parties and others like “ J&K on sale” no protection in J&K like in other states, he replied, Lot of misinformation or perhaps lack of clarity is there.
He further said that first we need to understand the many of the Old/existing laws were actually a product of their times- were made to serve the old agrarian based economy. They were outdated and suffered from ambiguities and contradiction. In many cases these laws were clearly regressive. There was lot of scope for discretionary interpretation and corruption
Stating examples like, ceiling of 182 kanals fixed in Big Landed Estates Abolition Act was superseded by 100 standard kanals in the Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, yet both provisions continued to coexist creating contradiction and confusion.
Adding that the old Agrarian Reforms Act prohibited the selling of land distributed to tillers even after 44 years- this was leading to benami transactions and restricting next generations
He further stated that Tenancy ended under Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 but Tenancy Stay of Ejectment Proceedings Act, 1966 continues. The Prohibition of Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975 not only prohibited alienation of orchard lands; it surprisingly restricted creation of new orchards too. To plant a new orchard Govt. permission was needed.
He emphasized that the Right of Prior Purchase Act severely constrained an owner’s right to dispose of his own property- neighbors and other had rights to restrict- both in urban and rural properties. ‘Family’ was defined differently in different laws, provision of alienation and conversion of land were different in different Laws, adding that the need to make Land Laws was simpler to avoid litigation, corruption and contradictions.
There are 11 laws repealed, they were either redundant or obsolete. However, progressive or relevant clauses of each of these Acts saved in the New Land Revenue Act. e.g. Sec 20 B of BLEA Act saved as 133 BB of Land Revenue Act- fuel or fodder lands. Relevant provisions of Consolidation of Holding Act 1962, Land Improvement Scheme 1972, Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act 1960- all saved as Section 23 of LR Act. Alienation of Land Act- all relevant provisions save under 133 A-H of Land Revenue Act and Definition of agriculture vastly expanded to include horticulture and allied agriculture activities.
Regarding the list of repealed laws he stated; Common Lands (Regulation) Act 1956 A.D, Consolidation Of Holding Act, 1962 A.D, Land Improvement Scheme Act 1972 A.D, Prevention Of Fragmentation Of Agricultural Holdings Act 1960 A.D, Alienation Of Land Act, 1995, Right Of Prior Purchase. Act, Svt. 1993 (1936 A.D), The J&K Flood Plain Zones (Regulation And Development) Act, 2005 A.D, The Jammu And Kashmir Underground Public Utilities (Acquisition Of Rights Of User In Land) Act, 2014, Tenancy (Stay Of Ejectment Proceedings) Act 1966 A.D, The Jammu And Kashmir Utilization Of Lands Act, Big Landed Estates Abolition Act 1950 and Prohibition of Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act 1975 A.D.
Regarding which Laws have been modified and what are the major changes, It was stated; Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, Land Revenue Act, Svt 1996 (1939 AD), Lands Grants Act, 1960 AD, Jammu & Kashmir Development Act 1970.
He further stated that apprehension about Land Reforms is unfounded and the Agrarian Reforms Act stays very much in place- all that has been done is to abolish the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act which in any case had been superseded by a clearer and more precise Agrarian reform Act. The Agrarian reform Act not only stays- it has been made more progressive by simplifying complex provisions which were only confusing issues leading to corruption and litigation. Disallows new resumption applications by landlords. Permits sale by tillers after 15 years of ownership. Time bound disposal of all pending/residual matters.Agricultural land can be sold only to ‘Agriculturists’.
Regarding Land Revenue Act 1996, Kansal stated that it is being developed as Land Code to avoid multiplicity of laws. Contradictory provisions with Development Act were removed. Provisions made for setting up of Revenue Board; Regional Planning for regulating use of land; alienation and conversions. Progressive provisions of repealed Acts incorporated. Provides restrictions/procedure for sale and purchase of agricultural and non-agricultural land.
Adding that under new Land Laws Agricultural land can only be sold to agriculturists from within J&K and more than 90% land cannot be sold to outsiders.
Regarding the protection and safeguards he stated, Sections 133 A-L and a number of protections have been built into the new land laws on similar lines as has been enacted in other states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. No agricultural land can be transferred to any person from outside the UT of J&K. Agricultural land but can only be sold to an agriculturist from within J&K.- even non agriculturists from within J&K barred. The terms agricultural land and agriculturist have been unambiguously defined to include not just agriculture but horticulture and allied agro-activities as well. Most expansive definition, includes not just horticulture but poultry, Animal Husbandry, fallow land etc also. Agriculturist has been defined as “.. a person who cultivates land personally in the UT of J&K”. The safeguard on agricultural land alone would ensure that more than 90 percent of land in the UT which is an agricultural land remains protected and with the people of J&K. Board of Revenue headed by ACS Rank Officer to be main controlling body under the Act which will perform functions under the overall directions of Government.
Adding that the Board of Revenue will not only be the Developing Authority for preparing regional plans but can notify a scheme of consolidation of land holdings and also a scheme for restricting and regulating the fragmentation of agricultural land holdings to make agriculture viable. Such Boards of Revenue exist in other states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh etc.
It was stated that Jammu & Kashmir Development Act 1970, Passed in 1970 was modified 5 times and Latest modifications- Provide for Master and Zonal development plans for identified local areas. Provision for Industrial Development through statutorily setting up Industrial development Corporation.
Regarding Section 3, strategic areas, army will have land wherever it wants and builds wherever and whatever it desired, Kansal stated that Section 3 has nothing to do with the transfer of any land to the Armed Forces. The transfer, both acquisition and requisitions, will continue to be governed by the existing law and the norms on the subject.
Upon being asked, what does this section do?
He responded, it merely exempts the Armed forces from operation of such aspects of this Act so that the responsibility of ensuring that the construction activities are undertaken as per the Developmental Control Regulation of the Master Plan and all environmental safeguards are observed has been delegated to the Armed Forces themselves.
Further stating that here too there are sufficient safeguards, only applicable on own/legally-acquired lands, only on request from officer not below Corps Commander (Lt. Gen) only for operational and training purposes.
On the discretion of and after satisfaction of the Government- and on such conditions as may be required by the government
Adding that the main objective of the changes in the Laws
To provide to the people of J&K; a modernized land management system which is people friendly and shall bring in greater transparency in land management.
The laws need to be seen in totality and as a major step towards the development and progress of J&K in ushering in land reforms, revamping the agriculture sector, rapid industrialization and opening up greater employment avenues for the youth. (KNB)