Why in news:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs in a recent order, said that as per the adapted land laws of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government can allow transfer of agricultural land for public purposes such as education, charitable purpose and healthcare.
• This is in consonance with the fact that after 5th August, 2019, all provisions of the Constitution of India have been made applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) which necessitated changes in existing laws in Jammu and Kashmir by Adaptation Orders so as to conform with the provisions of the Constitution of India, as per the authorities.
• It further stated that as per the adapted land laws of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government may, by notification in the official gazette, allow transfer of land, for public purposes such as education, charitable purpose and healthcare.

The order clears air around several queries in Rajya Sabha whether Government has altered the land laws of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) wherein no domicile or permanent resident certificate is required to purchase non-agricultural land in the J&K.

End of the road for Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950

• Another major development has taken place with reference to Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950. With the changed status of the region, application of new laws and in applicability of earlier laws and provisions, various doubts and questions had been raised over the status of Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950.
• It must be noted here that Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950 led to the radical redistribution of land which paved way for rural prosperity and ended landlordism in J&K.
• Under the Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950, the land was transferred to the tillers.
• The Act also prescribed a limit to right of ownership of 182 standard kanals (22.75 acres).
• However as per the current dispensation, this Act has been repealed and there is another legislation i.e. The Jammu & Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, for transfer of land to tillers which is in force.
• This Act prescribes ceiling restriction of 100 standard kanals (12.5 acres)