A new bill is being proposed in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that could change how people own homes built on public land. Waheedur Rehman Parra, a PDP MLA, has submitted the bill to the assembly secretariat. It’s called “The Jammu and Kashmir (Regularisation and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025.” The bill is intended to help people who built houses on public land gain legal ownership, especially after a recent government effort to remove unauthorized constructions.
Addressing Housing Concerns in Jammu and Kashmir
The main goal of this bill is to give ownership rights to residents who have constructed their homes on public land. If the bill becomes law, these homeowners could finally have legal ownership of their properties. This would significantly impact thousands of families across Jammu and Kashmir, offering them security and peace of mind.
What the Bill Proposes
The proposed law aims to solve the problem of many people living in houses built on land owned by the government. Instead of facing demolition, this bill offers a way for them to get legal titles to their properties. It’s a way to balance the need to protect public land with the need to ensure people have safe and secure housing. This could also influence other housing initiatives, such as affordable housing projects. To learn more, you might find information on housing initiatives helpful.
- Grants ownership rights to residents.
- Applies to houses built on public land.
- Aims to provide security to families.
Reactions and Potential Impacts
According to Waheedur Rehman Parra, this bill is about “providing justice and security” to residents who have established their homes on public lands. He hopes the assembly will seriously consider the bill and act quickly, keeping in mind that it could greatly improve the lives of many. However, this bill is expected to spark a lot of discussion in the assembly. Discussions will likely focus on the right way to protect public land while also addressing the housing needs of the people.
This bill comes after the anti-encroachment drive in 2023, which was led by the Lieutenant Governor. During this drive, many buildings built on public land were torn down, leaving many residents without homes. This new bill could be a solution by creating a system to make existing buildings legal and grant property rights to the people living in them. The effects of this bill could be significant, potentially changing how land ownership works in Jammu and Kashmir.