Srinagar, January 26: J&K LG Manoj Sinha has said that the new land laws have been introduced for agricultural and industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir since the old laws were a hindrance to the development and hence, have been abolished.

“In order to promote industries, a land bank is being created at a massive level and we are proud that two big and five small industrial estates will be completed by March 2021,” Sinha said while addressing Republic Day gathering at Jammu.

He, however, assured that the government will provide safety to every of the land in UT

“Dismissing all rumours and apprehensions, I fully assure you the safety of every inch of your land,” LG said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on Tuesday repealed 11 more laws of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The amendments in land laws thus allowed everyone in India to buy the land in Jammu and Kashmir which hitherto was exclusively meant for permanent resident of J&K.

The ministry of home affairs said that the order will be called the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020.

The change in the land laws by the center was met by stiff resistance by local opposition parties and the people. The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) then had said that the real objective of repeal of the basic land laws and massive amendments to the other laws is to push in and implement the agenda of effecting demographic change and disempowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his speech on republic day, the LG also said the Jammu and Kashmir Government has simplified the complex mining process. E-auction of mineral blocks is being done by the Department of Geology and Mining in a transparent manner.

“Due to complex auctioning process, the prices of construction material had gone up, which are expected to fall significantly in the coming days. The revenue of the Union Territory will increase, strengthening the economy,’ he said.

Sinha while highlighting the series of developmental steps taken by the Government India in the UT, counted successful and violence-free DDC polls as one of the biggest achievements of the government.

“For a long time, the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir were denied grassroots democracy. We have been successful in conducting a violence free, free and fair elections to District Development Councils.

The high turnout of voters broke the records of many previous elections. I specially congratulate the enlightened citizens, all voters, Central Security Forces, Army, Police and Administrative officials for this. We assure all the elected representatives that with your support, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration will bring the fruits of development to the last person “

In Srinagar, LG’s advisor Baseer Ahmed Khan said that with Centre’s support, J&K on a new path peace, progress and development. “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure peaceful and progressive J&K,” he said and highlighted series of developmental initiatives in J&K.