The state of Maharashtra will buy land in Kashmir and will construct 2 resorts.

By Abhay Shah, Realty Quarter

The Maharashtra government is planning to purchase two parcels of land, one each in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, before 31 October, the day central laws are planned to come into effect in the state, for resort construction.

For the intent, Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal said it has allocated an amount of Rs 2 crore. If the project goes through, Maharashtra will become the first state to purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir, after the cancellation of Article 370.

“We had a board meeting on 28 August in which the topic of purchasing land in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was discussed. It was decided at the meeting that we should purchase two parcels of land – one in Ladakh near Leh, where we would have a resort-cum-mountaineering institute, and the other in Jammu and Kashmir, where the location is not yet decided, but would preferably be close to the airport and the railway station,” he said. Some specialists suggested that Pahalgam Road in Srinagar, could be one place, but no decision was made on this, he said.

“We’ve allocated a token of Rs 2 cr – Rs 1 cr each – to purchase the land,” said Jaykumar Rawal, Maharashtra Tourism Minister.

Rawal said before October 31, the government expects to finalize the sites.

“We’re in a rush to finalize before October 31. Once the committee agreed on August 28, the executives have to implement it and they’ve begun to enforce it. We’re expecting a letter from the (Maharashtra) chief minister as soon as possible. I’ve already written to the chief minister. If we can also get some government property, we can consider that. It is a matter of time, the money is there, we find the place and buy. It can occur as quickly as possible. I gave them (the team) a total of two weeks to go and visit the site. The team is scheduled to travel (Jammu and Kashmir) in six or seven days. We preferably want to finalize the parcels before October 31,” said Rawal.

The state government plans to employ local advisors to assist it to select the finest tourism sites. “In two weeks, a small team will be touring both locations with our managing director and the estate manager. We will be recruiting local advisors there to guide us. They will also be carrying a letter from the chief minister to the governor of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The government is searching at several alternatives for the deal – government properties where it pays the price of the ready-reckoner and purchases the land, properties held by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, or land that belongs to private parties.

“It will be a tourist resort where anyone can stay. I’m sure travellers will be visiting from Maharashtra to see Kashmir, and of course for spiritual reasons. People from Mumbai may account for half of our bookings. The destinations will have a combination of Kashmiri and Maharashtrian food and culture. We will hire locals as guides,” he added.

Sources said this is just the amount of the token. This is the project’s administrative authorization. Depending on the actuals, the amount may differ.

On August 5, Home Minister Amit Shah proposed the scrapping of Article 370 which would give Jammu and Kashmir unique status. The Center notified the parliament that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) would be separated into two Union Territories (UTs) – Jammu and Kashmir would become a Union Territory (UT) with a legislature, while Ladakh would be a distinct UT without a legislature. Article 35A of the Constitution, which says that the land of the state can only be acquired by permanent inhabitants, has also been repealed.

With the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A, it is technically possible for non-residents to invest in immovable property within the Union Territories.