Dismissing concerns over land allotment to non-local investors, Wani stated that bringing businesses from outside Jammu Kashmir was not a new development.
“Who said people from outside cannot do business here? Investors were invited earlier as well, but the situation was not favourable. Now, efforts are being made to generate employment, so what is wrong with that? Let them come and invest. We hope the Lieutenant Governor approves the proposal,” he said.
Official data reveals that since 2016, a total of 6,816.25 kanal of land has been allotted to 213 non-local investors under the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2016-26 and the amended Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30. Of this, 6,408.25 kanal was allocated to 205 investors in the Jammu region, while eight investors received 408 kanal in Kashmir.
Recent developments in Jammu Kashmir have seen over 200 non-local industrialists receiving land allotments for business ventures. Notably, nearly 50 entrepreneurs from Delhi have secured land, followed by 45 from Haryana, 43 from Punjab, 14 from Uttar Pradesh, and nine from Maharashtra.
The Jammu Kashmir government has confirmed these allocations to non-resident investors, emphasizing adherence to established industrial policies.
The policy has sparked debate, with supporters viewing it as a step toward economic growth, while critics raise concerns over its implications for local businesses and land ownership.
Pertinently, the Bhartiya Janta Party abrogated the region’s constitutional safeguards stating that the removal would bring development and investments to the region, a move that the National Conference opposes.