Representational file image.
| Photo Credit: ANI
A Kashmir-based civil society, Group of Concerned Citizens, on Friday (October 9, 2026) sounded an alarm over newly-introduced rules on ‘Ease of doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living ‘ and claimed it will push “feverish, pervasive and large scale construction , which will negatively impact the lives of ordinary people and the environment”.
“The three sections, Schedule 2, 3 and 5, allow setting up of all the white and green industries in residential areas for the first time in J&K. This is never heard before. Under Schedule 3, no permission is required and under Schedule 5, no-objection-certificates are exempted by relaxing rules. It will wreak havoc in Kashmir’s residential areas,” said Khursheed Ganai, former retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who heads the civil society panel.
He warned that if the rules are not looked into afresh, it can “result in feverish, pervasive and high scale construction in length and breadth of the Union Territory (UT) “
“It will leave no open spaces and dust pollution could make the lives of ordinary people hard,” said Mr. Ganai.
Stating that the guiding principles of newly-framed rules were to bring ease, Mr Ganai said, “The rules like ‘permission on exception’, ‘permission until prohibited’, ‘permission deemed approved if not granted in due time’ could impact the lives of ordinary citizens”.
“It’s a license to set up a concrete jungle without regulation from the authorities. These rules need to be revisited, reframed and made stronger,” he added.
Warning of long-term impact on the environment too, Mr. Ganai said these rules were even proposing to allow sub-optimal schools and colleges. “We need the best of colleges and schools. What is the logic behind it?”
He said the government has set two objectives of ease of doing business and ease of living but “ease of living can’t be achieved if these rules are implemented”.
“Provisions are so free-for-all and even outside professionals could approve plans, it will create confusion and hit the life of the ordinary man. Please revisit the provisions and amend it,” said Mr. Ganai.
The group warned that these rules were bound to “weaken regulatory oversight and threaten the region’s fragile environment, planned urban development and public welfare”.
On September 28, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced the Bill “to amend certain enactments for decriminalizing and rationalizing offences for ease of living and ease of doing business and to repeal certain enactments”. The Bill has been approved by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Published – October 10, 2026 02:30 am IST
