Only two persons from outside J&K have purchased properties in the region since New Delhi abrogated the erstwhile state’s special status on 5 August 2019, the Government of India (GoI) said on Tuesday.
Replying to a written question in Lok Sabha whether “many people from other states of the country have purchased and are also interested to buy properties” in Jammu and Kashmir, the MoS Home Nityanand Rai said, “As per the information provided by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, two persons from outside J&K have purchased two properties in the Union Territory since August 2019.”
With abrogation of Article 370, the Government of India at the same time revoked Article 35A which enabled the government of the erstwhile state to define “state subjects” and reserve for them certain rights, including the right to own land in Jammu and Kashmir.
The GoI justified the move by saying that it will bring outside investment to the region which is now “free of the restrictions” imposed by the special status.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had notified new land laws for Jammu and Kashmir in October 2020, making it possible for any Indian citizen to buy land in the region which was earlier meant only for the permanent residents under Article 370.
