Bill meant for Kashmir’s super elite, nothing for poor: Sajad Lone
KNO Special Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 01 (KNO): Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday said the bill seeking amendments to the Land Grants Act is aimed at benefiting the super elite of Kashmir.
In a post on X, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Lone stated that the bill is “aimed to help the super elite of Kashmir.”
“CM sahib allowed the introduction of a private member’s bill. The government did not oppose it. The bill pertains to land-specifically to extending leases on government land that have expired. It involves some of the costliest real estate in Kashmir, worth, I would guess, about 70,000 to one lakh crore rupees, or maybe even much more,” he said.
Lone’s remarks came minutes after the Chief Minister announced he would not oppose the bill. He questioned what the bill offers for the poorest sections of society.
“Lakhs of poor families have built houses on 2 or 3 marlas, or at most a kanal. They continue to be persecuted daily. They remain as helpless as they have been for decades. Do they not deserve a bill?” he asked.
He clarified that he is not opposed to the bill itself, but stressed that “it is the super elite only who stand to benefit.”
Lone further asked the government to disclose the total amount leaseholders have been paying. “May I ask some questions? I asked them in the Assembly but never got an answer. What is the total land in kanals that belongs to the government and has been leased out? What is the lease amount that has been paid till date?” Lone said—(KNO)
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