Only two persons from outside Jammu and Kashmir have bought two property in the Union Territory after the dilution of Article 370 in August 2019, according to a written reply from Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
“As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, two persons from outside J&K have purchased two properties in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since August, 2019,” said Mr. Rai, in response to the queries from Members S. Ramalingam and A. Ganeshamurthi.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked the special status of J&K and bifurcated the erstwhile State into Union Territories. Earlier, only permanent residents – as defined by the State Assembly -- were eligible to buy immovable property or apply for gazetted and non-gazetted posts there.
Amendment to laws
Through an order last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amended 109 laws and repealed 29 laws of the erstwhile State. It also amended the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, 2010, by substituting the term “permanent residents” with “domiciles of UT [Union Territory] of J&K.”
The order defines domiciles as anyone who has resided in J&K for a period of 15 years; or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located there; or who is registered as a migrant by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants).
Children of the Central government officials, including the all India services, public sector units, autonomous body of the Centre, Public Sector Banks, officials of statutory bodies, Central universities and recognised research institutes of the Centre who have served in J&K for a total period of 10 years, are also domiciles.
The domicile status is also applicable to the children of such residents who are living outside J&K in connection with their employment or business or other professional or vocational reasons, but their parents should fulfil any of the conditions provided.
