The recently introduced “Land to Landless Scheme” in Jammu & Kashmir has been making news for its beneficial influence on the underprivileged populations of the region, marking a significant step toward social empowerment. The scheme, which aims to grant land ownership to those who have long been denied this fundamental right, is now giving countless families a sense of hope and security.
The Land to Landless Scheme, which the government spearheaded with vision, is about to give plots of land to hundreds of marginalized families throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The goal of this effort is to empower marginalized communities and give them the resources they need to develop a brighter future. The scheme’s provision of land ownership not only provides users with economic stability but also helps them feel a sense of identity and worth.
The implementation of the scheme will be characterized by effective allocation processes and open allocation practices. To ensure that worthy individuals and families obtain their authorized plots of land without any obstacles, local authorities have been working hard. The efficiency of this strategy in reaching the actual recipients has won it significant praise.
Political Parties Stance
Local political parties made an attempt to oppose the move by claiming that the Land to Landless scheme would be implemented by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in Jammu and Kashmir in order to rehabilitate outsiders here. In a recent interview, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP’s president Mehbooba Mufti claimed that the government wanted to settle 10 lakh people from outside in Jammu and Kashmir. “They intend to dwell here 10 lakh people who will be brought in the guise of a home for a homeless.
While as Omar Abdullah, vice president of the National Conference and a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in a previous statement,said that people who moved to Jammu and Kashmir after 2019 “should not be included in these lists,” Omar asserted that “after 2019,government have tried to settle many people here.” We will undoubtedly have doubts if the intention is to give land to such people. Before counting the homeless, the government should be transparent about their methodology”. He added.
Lieutenant Governor’s Rebuttal:
While the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha denied the claims made by the political leaders and stated that no outsiders were given land under Pradhan Mantri’s Awas Yojna (PMAY). ‘Some politicians are misleading the people by saying that land is being given to outsiders.Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), he claimed, no outsiders would be given five marla land; instead, landless people from Jammu and Kashmir would benefit from it.
Doubt Clearing Government Order:
It pertinent to mention that the latest order issued by the administration of Jammu and Kashmir in this regard clears up all doubts and allegations. The order states that a person will be deemed to be landless, only if he is domicile of Jammu and Kashmir, have a separate family, do not own any land in their own name or the name of a family member, or is not eligible to inherit five marlas or more of land. In accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act of 1960 and the rules promulgated hereunder, the land shall be provided to him on a lease basis.
What Local residents say about it?
In a conversation with us, Javid Ahmed Khan, a resident of Surfraw Kangan, revealed that he and his family, including the nursing infants, used to live in a polythene tent. He had given up all hope of giving his children a good life and was instead focused on protecting them from the heat and rain. He stated that the land-to-landless scheme had given him a sense of relief, and he is now looking forward to a good life for himself and his family.
As the Land to Landless Scheme continues to gain momentum, it is anticipated that it will serve as a model for similar initiatives in other regions, aiming to uplift underprivileged communities and pave the way for a more equitable society. With each piece of land granted, the scheme reinforces the idea that land ownership is not just about property, but a pathway to a brighter future for the marginalized in Jammu & Kashmir.
