Using agricultural land for non-agri purpose exposes nefarious designs: Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar: Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has reacted sharply to Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to allow conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use, calling it nefarious design to change the demography of the region.
JK admin’s new policy enabling conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural purposes reveals their nefarious designs of engineering demographic changes. The development agenda is a ruse. Latest regulation doesn’t even require the 15 yr domicile certificate as a prerequisite, she said in a series of tweets.
After depriving locals of their rightful share of government jobs, such abrupt policy decisions that pave the way for outsiders to buy land in J&K are taken only to further disempower locals.
The J&K government yesterday introduced changes to the land use pattern, lifting the ban on conversion of agricultural land for non farm purposes.
On yesterday’s order, however, permission has been granted to allow upto 12 standard acres against a fee of 5% of the market value of the land notified under the Stamps Act for non-agricultural use.( Agencies)