Maharashtra plans to be the first state to acquire property in Jammu and Kashmir to build a facility for visitors and officials visiting the Union Territory.
The Maharashtra Bhawan, the Valley’s first state Bhawan, would be built at Budgam, central Kashmir, on the outskirts of Srinagar. The Maharashtra cabinet approved the land acquisition on Wednesday.
The Bhawan will be built on a 2.5-acre tract of land in Ichgam, near the Srinagar Airport. The J&K government has authorised the transfer of land to the state government, contingent on a payment of Rs 8.16 crore.
Property sanctioned for Maharashtra state
The transfer of 20 Kanal Shamlat Deh property in Ichgam Budgam estate has been sanctioned for Maharashtra state. On payment of transfer value of Rs 8.16 crore (Rs 40.8 lakh per kanal) for the construction of Maharshtra Bhawan,” according to a Revenue Department letter.
The process of purchasing property and constructing a tourism facility here began in June of last year, when Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Jammu and Kashmir and met with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
The facility intends to provide nice rooms and facilities for Maharashtrian visitors and authorities.
Deputy Chief Minister’s declaration
In his budget statement, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance responsibility, stated that the government is building two Maharashtra Bhawans in Srinagar and Ayodhya to “provide better and safer facilities to the tourists and devotees of the State at reasonable rates”. Pawar stated that the state government has budgeted Rs 77 crore to build these two state guesthouse facilities.
Prior to the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, only permanent residents may purchase land in the former state. However, the government might lease property to enterprises and individuals from outside for longer periods of time, up to 99 years.
