J&K lifts ban on sale of agricultural, horticultural land to non-agriculturists

SRINAGAR, OCT 20 : Jammu and Kashmir government lifted the ban on sale of agricultural and horticultural land to non-agriculturists and people belonging to different communities.

The Administrative Council (AC), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, authorized district collectors to allow transfer of land to a non-agriculturist, subject to certain conditions and procedure, “primary activities on a large scale”.

There have been several demands by Mahajans, Khatris and Sikhs for the right to buy and sell agricultural land for investment in agriculture and allied activities. His displeasure was present over the statutory provision that defined certain sections of the society as agrarian class, who alone owned agricultural land under the J&K Land Segregation Act Svt.1995.

The decision allows sale of land up to 20 kanals to the Deputy Commissioners for agriculture and allied activities and up to 80 kanals in the case of horticulture plantations. The entire process will be completed within 30 days of making an application to this effect.

The move will provide an opportunity to the non-agriculturists to take up such activities as a profession to acquire land for agriculture and allied activities and to systematically bring in new investments in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sectors.