KD Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was informed that a liquor manufacturing unit in Srinagar continues to operate on prime evacuee property after authorities renewed its lease for 20 years without conducting a public auction, relying on regulations that existed before current rules came into force.
In a written response to a question from legislator Mushtaq Guroo, the government said the land — measuring 8 kanals and 11 marlas under Khasra numbers 572, 573 and 574 at Peerbagh — is officially recorded as evacuee property. Officials also noted that 1 kanal and 8 marlas from the same parcel had earlier been acquired for the widening of Indira Gandhi Road.
.According to the reply, the plot was first leased on April 1, 1983 for 40 years, with the term ending on March 31, 2023. The Custodian General has now approved an extension for another two decades.
Authorities explained that the lease was not auctioned because the original allotment predates Rule 13-C of the J&K Evacuees’ (Administration of Property) Rules, introduced through a 1985 amendment that requires vacant evacuee land to be leased only through open bidding. Since the original agreement was executed before that provision existed, officials said the renewal was processed under the same framework.
The new lease has been granted on commercial terms, with a premium fixed at ₹35 lakh per kanal along with annual ground rent. Conditions require that the property be used solely for its sanctioned purpose and that the lessee obtain clearances from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation or the Srinagar Development Authority before undertaking any construction.
The government also stated that the agreement safeguards potential claims by original owners. If a lawful claimant succeeds in restoring ownership under evacuee property laws, that person would replace the government as lessor for the remaining lease duration.
