NC, PDP spar over Bill pertaining to land rights in J&K

Ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) sparred over a Bill pertaining to land in J&K.

NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq has submitted the J&K Land Grants (Restoration and Protection) Bill, 2025 to the J&K Assembly as a private member’s bill. “The Bill will restore the land rights to economically weaker sections,” said Mr. Sadiq. 

The proposed Bill is aimed at repealing the Land Grant Rules 2022 notified during the Lieutenant Governor’s rule in J&K. The eviction carried out under the Land Grants Rules 2022 was likely to a large number of locals, mainly those who own hotels at tourist places. 

However, PDP legislator Waheed ul Rehman Para said the NC was shielding the elite and allowing the poor “to face the brunt of demolition drives”.

“I introduced a Bill to allow granting of ownership rights to people living on state land. However, my Bill was rejected by the NC. They intend to bring a new one. If it truly serves the people, we will support it,” Mr. Parra said.

He said the core issue in J&K remained about those poor families who live on grazing reserves, nazool land, and forest land for decades without being granted any ownership rights.

The PDP said nearly 1,500 houses have been demolished this year alone in Kashmir. “Those who went to Jammu to show sympathy to victims of demolitions have done nothing to regularize those very houses. The government has failed to take any concrete decision,” Mr. Parra said.

He asked the government to halt demolition drives and forced evictions in J&K. “People deserve to live peacefully,” he added.