A major change in Jammu and Kashmir

The Hindu Newsletter - Newsletter - subject [The Hindu Logo]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( Wednesday 28, October 2020 [alt_text]( Editor's Pick [A major change in J&K]( [alt_text]( (The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.) Non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir can [now purchase land in the Union Territory](for the purpose of setting up healthcare or educational facilities. This provision was introduced in the new J&K Development Act notified by the Centre. Two other key provision introduced in the new law are: 1) Agricultural land cannot be converted for any other purpose without the permission of the District Collector. 2) Military officers above Corps Commander rank can declare an area as being of strategic importance. This change in rules ends the exclusive rights of locals of the erstwhile State to own land there. This right was part of the Special Rights granted [under Article 370]( of the Indian constitution, and which was hollowed out[on August 5, 2019](. The Central government's argument is that the ability of outsiders to purchase land is necessary for the development of industry and other sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. The local political parties such as the National Conference and the PDP see this as part of the continued dismantling of J&K's autonomy once the protections under [Article 370 were taken away.]( The rule also comes soon after a new political coalition -- the PAGD, or the Gupkar alliance -- has taken shape in the Union Territory to fight for regaining the autonomy it had lost. This new rule is part of several steps that the Central government has taken after August 5 last year to facilitate non-J&K residents to integrate into the region. This includes the easing the process for getting domicile certificates for outsiders who have been staying there for over 15 years and for the children of those who have married outside the region. The new rule, however, is the first time that outright ownership of land by outsiders is being allowed, though for limited purposes, making this story important. The Big Story [India-U.S. 2+2 dialogue | U.S. to support India’s defence of territory]( [alt_text]( From the Front Page [alt_text]( [Now, outsiders can buy land in Jammu and Kashmir]( [alt_text]( [Bihar Assembly elections | Voting in first phase for 71 seats on October 28]( From the Opinion Pages [alt_text]( [GST and the complexity of political negotiations]( [alt_text]( [India’s DisCom stress is more than the sum of its past]( Today's Editorials [Compound conundrum: On interest]( waiver [Dead letter: On Chile referendum]( You are receiving this email because you are a user of [thehindu.com]( If you do not wish to receive any such emails, [unsubscribe here.](mailto:rm-0b46yhfqbf2f90kauh6cb0bysa8hkbz@newsalert.thehindu.com?subject=Unsubscribe&body=You will be unsubscribed from our mailing list.) To ensure you continue to receive emails from The Hindu in your inbox, please add newsletters.th@newsalert.thehindu.com to your contact. If you can't see the mailer, please [click here.]( Group Sites [The Hindu]( | [இந்து தமிழ் திசை]( | [Business Line]( | [BL on Campus]( | [Sportstar]( | [Frontline]( | [The Hindu Centre]( | [Images]( | [roofandfloor]( | [Classifieds]( Copyright @ 2020 ,THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. [About Us]( | [Contact Us]( | [Digital Subscription](