What about Mahajan / Khatris’ request for the sale / purchase of farmland to J&K?

Parteek

JAMMU, January 31:In December of last year, Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha (JCMS) called the “new land laws” notified by the government of Jammu and Kashmir “anti-Mahajan” and contrary to the spirit of equality before the law.

Sabha said, “In our country, any people, anywhere in India, can buy land, but it is extremely sad that the Mahajans in Union J&K territory cannot even buy a single Marla. of agricultural land, that is to say land of 1st, 2nd or 3rd rank in this territory of the Union while there is no restriction of this type for persons belonging to other communities.

Sabha also said that the Mahajan community of J&K, which is made up of over 10 lakh souls, has always played a central role in various fields and that through their intelligence, honesty and hard work, they brought all the development of this Union territory, but it is a matter of criminal discrimination that they have been kept away from the field of agriculture.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Jammu and Kashmir has also criticized the government for alleged conspiracy against communities of Mahajan and Khatri who are not allowed to buy or sell agricultural land in Union territory. J&K.

Earlier, UDA official Rajiv Mahajan called the move under the new land laws a conspiracy and called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter seriously and revoke the order as soon as possible.

People from the Mahajan community, Khatri, speaking to Cross Town News, said that there were times when the Mahajan community was mainly traders and now the weather has changed and they should be allowed to buy and sell. agricultural land.

They said the new section banned the “transfer of farmland to non-farmers” and omitted the earlier relaxation of four channels available in the repealed J&K Land Alienation Act.

Section 133H says “For the purposes of this section, the expression – (a) farmer means a person: – (i) who personally cultivates land in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on the date that can be notified by the government; or (ii) such class of persons as may be notified by the Government from time to time. This list of “category of people” (farmers) must be notified “from time to time”, which means that other communities may be notified in this, including Mahajan Khatris.

Another provision of Article 133H states: “On condition that the government or an agent authorized by it for this purpose can grant permission to a farmer to alienate land to a non-farmer by way of sale, gift, exchange or mortgage or for such an agreement on such terms as may be prescribed “and allows” the lease of land or any other arrangement to enter into an agreement of agriculture or production under the provisions of any law “.

They said the administration must make a decision taking into account the current scenario and added that Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, who are raising objections on various issues, must also heed our appeals to heed the overall development of the territory of the Union.