Over 200 investors from outside Jammu and Kashmir have been allotted land in the Union Territory’s industrial estates over the past decade, according to official data. The influx of investors, primarily from Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, saw a significant rise after the abrogation of Article 370 and the region’s reorganisation into two Union Territories in August 2019. 

Under the 2016-26 industrial policy, 28 investors were allotted over 500 kanals of land in Samba and Kathua districts. The revised 2021-30 policy further expanded interest, attracting investors from Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Delhi led with 50 investors securing land, followed by Haryana (45), Punjab (43), Uttar Pradesh (14), Maharashtra (9), and seven each from Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh.

 

Officials stated that land for industrial estates was transferred from the Revenue Department to the Industries & Commerce Department, which allocated it based on investment proposals and policy guidelines. 

(Greater Kashmir)