Only two persons of other states bought properties in Jammu Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370: Govt to Lok Sabha

"As per the information provided by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, two persons from outside Jammu and Kashmir have purchased two properties in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019," Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told Lok Sabha in a written reply, reported NDTV.

Asked if the buyers faced "hardship or impediments" while buying properties in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister replied, "No such instance has been reported to the government."

The Home Ministry was asked the question if it was true that many people from other states have purchased and more people are interested in buying properties in Jammu and Kashmir.

After the revocation of the special status and complete merger of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union of India, the Centre formulated a new definition of domicile of the former state that allowed anyone living there for at least 15 years to be a permanent resident of the Union Territory.

Central government employees who have served in the state for 10 years and their children also have the domicile rights

Earlier, the right to decide who is a resident vested with the Jammu and Kashmir assembly and only those people could buy property or apply for jobs there.

Last year, the Union Home ministry amended the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment Act), and replaced the term "permanent residents" with "domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir".