PDP submits ‘anti-bulldozer’ Bill to stop evictions, regularise land of those in continuous possession for 30 years

The private member ‘Jammu and Kashmir Land Rights and Regularisation Bill, 2025’ -- submitted to the Assembly -- aims at preventing ‘arbitrary evictions’ of several hoteliers, says former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Written by Naveed Iqbal

Srinagar | October 9, 2025 07:35 AM IST

2 min read

PDP submits 'anti-bulldozer' Bill to stop evictions, regularise land of those in continuous possession for 30 years

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti.

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday announced that the party had submitted a private member ‘The Jammu and Kashmir Land Rights and Regularisation Bill, 2025’ – also dubbed as the ‘anti-bulldozer Bill’ — in the forthcoming session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

According to the party, the proposed legislation aims to regularise land holdings of individuals, families, and institutions who have been in “continuous possession of land for over 30 years”, with a view to securing ownership rights, preventing arbitrary evictions, and ensuring social and economic stability across Jammu and Kashmir.

Recalling the ongoing land and lease crisis in Gulmarg and other parts of Kashmir, Mufti said that the Land Grant Rules, 2022, have ended the renewal of old leases, putting dozens of hotels operating on expired leases at risk of eviction or government takeover through auction.

The party noted that nearly 60 hotels in Gulmarg, including heritage establishments such as Nedous and Highlands Park, have received takeover notices from the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA). “Hoteliers who have invested heavily now face severe financial distress, legal uncertainty, and threats to livelihoods,” PDP said.

Mufti also stated that the absence of a clear government policy on lease renewal and land regularisation has created a “deep uncertainty”, hurting tourism, local employment, and investor confidence in Kashmir’s hospitality sector.

She also attacked the National Conference government alleging that despite repeated promises by the chief minister to protect the land rights of the people of J&K, no concrete policy or legal stand has yet been taken to safeguard these rights in courts.

While Mufti herself is not a member of the J&K Assembly, the party has three MLAs in the 90-member house. Mufti said that PDP MLAs have already submitted the Bill for inclusion in the upcoming Assembly session, “reaffirming the party’s commitment to protecting people’s land rights and ensuring legal security for all long-standing occupants.” She emphasised that the government should either adopt and implement these Bills or bring in their own legislation which will be duly supported by the PDP.

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The next session of the J&K assembly is set to begin on October 23.

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