Srinagar, Mar 11: A stark revelation emerged in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly as the government disclosed that over 1,600 leases had expired in the Janipur Housing Colony alone, and unpaid rents for 2023-24 had totaled ₹14.85 lakh in Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) properties. In Srinagar, 4,614 of 5,899 leases had expired, pointing to a significant lapse in the lease renewal process.
These figures were presented in response to a query raised by Legislator Ajaz Ahmad Jan, who sought clarity on housing management issues in the J&K particularly focusing on expired leases, unauthorized properties, and housing for militancy-affected families.
Jan’s inquiry, made through Starred Assembly Question No. 1103, highlighted ongoing concerns within the Housing & Urban Development Department. The government’s response, tabled by the Chief Minister (Minister In-charge), acknowledged systemic challenges across housing authorities.
It revealed that while progress had been made, such as the launch of an online rent portal and the allotment of 336 rental flats in Sunjwan, Jammu, significant gaps remain in addressing expired leases and the collection of rents.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the government was actively addressing unauthorized properties, with defaulters identified and action taken on a case-by-case basis. However, a clear policy for renewing expired leases is yet to be formulated. The Under Secretary stressed stricter enforcement, including potential lease cancellations for those failing to respond to violation notices.
Regarding housing for families affected by militancy, particularly in the Poonch region near the Line of Control (LoC), the government disclosed delays in the creation of a dedicated housing colony. While no dedicated housing facility exists yet, the government revealed that 16 Kanals and 16 Marlas of land in Kamyjan, Poonch, had been transferred to the J&K Housing Board for a housing project, with financial planning currently underway.
The Chief Minister further pointed to modernization efforts, including the implementation of the JMC Residential Accommodation Bye-Laws 2020 and the use of the e-collect.jkbank.com portal for rent transactions.
