Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 26
Jammu and Kashmir is set to notify a new policy governing residential leases of government land after the Council of Ministers approved the framework and sent it to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval, a government adviser said.
The policy aims to establish a uniform system for granting, managing, renewing and monitoring residential government land leases, according to the proposal.
“The cabinet has forwarded it to the LG for approval. In a few days, we are likely to see it issued. It will be issued,” the adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said at a private function.
The proposed framework provides for a digital system covering allotment, management, renewal and monitoring of leases, along with district- and tehsil-level online registers of government land available for residential leasing.
The government would retain ownership of the land, while leases could be granted for individual housing, cooperative and group housing, economically weaker sections and other specified categories.
The maximum lease period is proposed at 90 years, although shorter periods could apply depending on the land’s location and purpose.
Renewal would not be automatic and would depend on compliance with lease conditions, payment of dues, continued residential requirements, and applicable planning and zoning regulations.
The framework also provides for construction within a specified period and resumption of land if lease conditions are breached or the land is not used for the approved purpose.
Leasehold rights could be mortgaged with recognised banks and financial institutions for permitted purposes, subject to safeguards.
The policy proposes that premium and ground rent be determined using factors including market value, location, accessibility, development potential and permissible floor-area ratios.
For ordinary residential leases, annual ground rent has been proposed at 2.5% of the lease premium, excluding structures and improvements. Concessional rates could apply to specified subsidised housing categories.
Government land would generally be allocated through e-auction, while direct allotment could be used for economically weaker and low-income groups.
An empowered committee headed by the Financial Commissioner, Revenue, with officials from several departments, has also been proposed. Appeals against orders would lie with the J&K Special Tribunal.
The policy assumes significance because the J&K Land Grants Rules, 2022 excluded existing and expired residential leases issued under the erstwhile 1960 rules and provided for a separate policy.
The government is also examining a separate framework for commercial property leases, the adviser said.
