Srinagar, January 2, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced plans to formulate a policy to address the issues of leaseholders, specifically the hoteliers in Gulmarg and Pahalgam whose land leases have expired.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sheri-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Abdullah outlined that the government is working on a solution for hoteliers who have long been requesting extensions.
In December 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration replaced the J&K Land Grants Rules-1960 with the new J&K Land Grant Rules-2022. These changes affect land previously granted for hotel and commercial development in prime locations like Srinagar, Jammu, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The old rules were considered vital for J&K's upper middle class, facilitating the rise of hotels and commercial structures.
However, LG Manoj Sinha argued that the old laws were "regressive" and criticized landholders for profiting from valuable properties with minimal investment. The new laws were seen by some as a move to allow outsiders to acquire prime land in the region.
“The process is underway to formulate a policy for these leaseholders, including hotel owners in prominent tourist areas like Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” Abdullah stated.
The policy will offer clarity and resolve the uncertainties surrounding expired leases, he said.
On the broader governance front, the Chief Minister addressed the ongoing issue of reservations in the region, confirming that a sub-committee is working on the matter. The sub-committee’s findings will be guided by the final decisions of the High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court.
The CM also spoke about the government’s focus on resolving various policy uncertainties. “We are working to clear any doubts and put into place definitive business rules that will be shared with legal experts before being presented to the LG,” he added.
He reiterated his commitment to transparency and media engagement, expressing hope that such interactions would become regular, with a focus on opening more channels of communication between the government and the public.
The CM also responded to recent protests, particularly one led by Srinagar MP Ruhullah, affirming the National Conference’s democratic values, which allow space for dissent.
“National Conference is a democratic party, and everyone has the right to voice their opinions. At one point, it was impossible even to think of protesting, but today they reached the CM's office and later met with me,” he said.
“We aim to be accountable, and after the first 100 days, we will provide an exact report card on our progress,” Abdullah added.