Govt allots land to 511 landless families in J&K; rejects 2,500 applications

Srinagar, Oct 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has allotted five marlas of land each to 511 landless families across the Union Territory to enable them to build homes under the Land to Landless scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G).

According to an official reply tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday in response to an unstarred question by opposition PDP MLA Mir Muhammad Fayaz, the government said 234 beneficiaries in the Kashmir division and 277 in the Jammu division were granted land free of cost for the construction of their dwellings.

In the Kashmir division, Bandipora recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 109 allotments, followed by Baramulla (61), Anantnag (30), Kupwara (17), Pulwama (8), Ganderbal (5), Kulgam (3), and Srinagar (1). No beneficiaries were reported in Shopian or Budgam districts.

In the Jammu division, Doda topped the list with 68 allotments, followed by Kishtwar (55), Rajouri (48), Kathua (36), Udhampur (24), Jammu (20), Poonch (16), and Reasi (10). Ramban district recorded no beneficiaries.

At the same time, the government said 2,568 applications under the scheme were rejected for failing to meet eligibility norms. Rajouri recorded the highest number of rejections at 1,245, followed by Anantnag (286), Ramban (162), and Udhampur (146).

“The applications were rejected on grounds such as ineligibility, existing ownership of residential land, residence in forest or Rakhs and Farms areas, or possession of more than five marlas of land,” the reply said.

The government has been describing PMAY-G as a “path-breaking initiative” aimed at empowering landless families to build stable lives. The allotted plots are leased strictly for residential use, in line with PMAY-G guidelines.

The scheme prioritises rural poor, disaster-affected households, and those rendered homeless by natural calamities, to provide dignified housing and promote inclusive rural development.