Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, October 29, 2025 – In a significant step towards addressing housing deprivation in the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government has allotted five marla plots of land to 511 landless persons across J&K, enabling them to construct their own homes. This initiative, part of the ongoing Land to Landless scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), underscores the administration’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable sections of society.The allotments were announced on Wednesday by the Revenue Department, which processed thousands of applications received under the scheme. While 511 eligible beneficiaries were granted the plots—each measuring approximately 126 square meters—for residential purposes, a staggering 2,568 applications were rejected due to various ineligibility factors. Common reasons for rejection included applicants already possessing residential land exceeding five marlas, residing in restricted forest, Rakhs, or Farms areas, or failing to meet the scheme’s stringent eligibility criteria, such as inclusion in the Awas Plus Permanent Waiting List (PWL) 2018-19.”This is a path-breaking measure that empowers landless families to build stable lives,” stated a senior Revenue Department official.
The plots are leased strictly for housing construction, aligning with PMAY-G guidelines that prioritize rural poor, disaster-affected households, and those rendered homeless by natural calamities like the recent floods. In Jammu division, over 21,000 kanals of land have been delineated for such purposes, though allocations in Kashmir remain pending further surveys.The scheme builds on earlier proposals from late October, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured assembly members of land allocation for flood victims, emphasizing lease-based grants to prevent misuse. Eligibility is confined to J&K domiciles, ensuring benefits reach genuine locals and addressing past concerns over demographic changes. Beneficiaries, many from rural pockets in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Jammu districts, expressed gratitude, viewing the plots as a foundation for dignity and self-reliance.
One recipient from north Kashmir shared, “After years of renting, this five marla is our first real home—thanks to the government’s support.”As J&K navigates post-flood recovery and broader rural development, this allotment signals expanded phases of PMAY-G, potentially benefiting thousands more by 2025-26. The government plans inter-departmental consultations to refine the process, focusing on transparent verification and swift possession.For application details or eligibility checks, visit the Revenue Department portal or contact local Deputy Commissioners.
