JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the historic Roshni Bill aimed at giving free of cost ownership rights to 16.60 lakh kanals of State land under the occupation of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. The State Government described the legislation as revolutionary on the lines of the famous land reforms ushered in by Sheikh Abdullah inspired by the Leftist school of thought.

J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who moved the Bill with amendment in the House said that a nominal fee of Rs. 100 per kanal had to be paid by the occupant farmers for getting mutation in their favour in the revenue records. He said the Bill would go as yet another revolutionary step in the annals of history in Jammu and Kashmir after the Land to Tiller Act. The Chief Minister termed the Bill a farmer-friendly gesture of the Government and would help in a big way to give boost to farming sector.

Describing agriculture as the backbone of the State economy, the Chief Minister said unless farming community was socially and economically well-off, boosting farm produce to cater to the requirements of the State was not possible. He said giving ownership rights to farmers under occupation of State land for agricultural purposes free of cost was a decision of far-reaching positive impact on the overall agriculture scenario and the step of the Government to this effect would always be recognised as a revolutionary one.

Congress legislator G. M. Saroori, while putting forth his views on the Roshni Bill, said that the Bill was a highly farmer-friendly and historic one in the last 60 years. He said the Jammu and Kashmir would remember this people-friendly gesture of the Government led by Mr. Azad forever.

NC creates furore

The National Conference created a furore after the presentation of the bill as it wanted some of its recommendations to be included in the Roshni Bill. Speaker Tara Chand denied the demand of the National Conference which resulted in pandemonium in the House for 15 minutes. However, the bill was passed by voice vote.

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