3-member body to decide on matters relating to 10 repealed land laws
By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday constituted a Board of Revenue for the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act.
The three-member body would be headed by Shaleen Kabra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and comprises Zubair Ahmad, Commissioner Secretary, department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Rajesh Sharma, Custodian General.
According to an order issued by the GAD, the Board shall be the chief controlling authority regarding all the matters provided in Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act (Samvat) 1996.
On October 26 last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through an order, introduced amendments in the law.
The amendments prohibit the sale of agricultural land to “non-agriculturist”, but it has provided for several situations under which sale can still happen.
The law also provides that no land used for agriculture purposes shall be used for any non-agricultural purposes except with the permission of the district collector.
It also empowers the government to make rules for regularisation of unauthorised occupation, if any, arising on account of repeal of land laws.
According to the law, the Board shall exercise, perform and discharge powers, functions and duties conferred upon it by or under The Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act or any other law for the time being in force.
It has also been empowered to decide all the matters relating to the repealed land laws, within one year from the Constitution of the Board.
The repealed land laws include The Jammu and Kashmir Alienation of Land Act, Samvat 1995; The Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, Samvat 2007; The Jammu and Kashmir Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1956; The Jammu and Kashmir Consolidation of Holding Act, 1962; The Jammu and Kashmir Land Improvement Schemes Act, 1972;Â The Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Fragmentation of Agricultural Holdings Act, 1960; The Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975; The Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy (Stay of Ejectment Proceedings) Act, 1966; The Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy Act, Svt.1980; The Jammu and Kashmir Utilization of Lands Act, Svt. 2010.
The terms, references and procedure to be followed by the Board shall be such as may be notified by the Government, the law states.
