Srinagar, Oct 28: The Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly rejected a Private Member’s Bill moved by PDP MLA Waheed Para seeking ownership rights for residents living in houses constructed on State, Kacharai, Common and Shamilat land.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill to Provide Special Provisions for the Residents of the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir” (Private Members’ Bill No. 7 of 2025), aimed to recognise proprietary rights of residential houses built on such lands, invoking the right to shelter under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Introducing the bill, Para said it sought to secure ownership or transfer rights for those who had lived on the said lands for decades, arguing that the measure was rooted in the principle of human dignity and social justice.
This is not about rewarding encroachment but about protecting families who have known no other home,” Parra said.
However, the government opposed the bill and requested Para to withdraw it.
“On the surface, it looks easy. If someone has constructed a house on government land, give the land to him. Last time also, the government made a scheme to convert leasehold into freehold which was known as Roshni (scheme). The aim was to grant freehold to those who had leasehold before militancy. The revenue generated would have been used for power generation,” Abdullah said.
The Speaker called for a voice vote on whether the bill should be discussed further. Only two members supported the motion. Later, the bill was rejected and dropped from the agenda.
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