Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the provisions for preventing the misuse of agricultural land are provided in the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Svt. 1996.
Replying to a question raised by Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah said that under Section 133- A of this Act, no land used for agricultural purposes shall be used for any non-agricultural purposes except with the permission of the District Collector. Further, as per section 133-A of Land Revenue Act, SVT. 1996 agriculture land upto 400 sq meters can be converted for residential purposes.
The Chief Minister said that under Section 133-C, of the Act, any land converted for other purposes in violation of the provision of Section 133-A or Section 133-B or 133-BB shall escheat to the government and there is punishment for such offences – those who have contravened the provisions of Section 133-A or Section 133-B or 133-BB shall be punishable by the Collector or any officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of 1st Class upto Rs 25,000.
He informed the House that the Board of Revenue has notified detailed regulations, prescribed forms and fixed fee for conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes which also has monitoring provisions.
The Chief Minister also said that Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Act provides for grant of state land on lease by the government. The Jammu and Kashmir Land Grant Rules, 2022 have been revised and notified vide S.O 668, dated 09.12.2022.
