Srinagar, August 28 (KNS) : J&K Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone has taken a firm stand with incumbent leaseholders in Gulmarg while exposing the systematic corruption that created the current crisis.

In a statement issued, Sajad Lone asserted, "In the case of extension of leases on government land in Gulmarg and other areas, I in my humble capacity am firmly on the side of the incumbent allottees. Nobody should be dispossessed from their properties after decades of possession."

The PC President revealed how this issue became personal when a school classmate told him their lease had expired and the government refused an extension. "As I grew up and joined politics, I could see that lease issue is more than a lease," he said, questioning why governments never established clear, transparent lease policies.

Lone identified the core problem as successive governments deliberately keeping leaseholders in limbo rather than choosing between extending leases or implementing uniform vacation policies.

"What surprises me is that successive governments opted for neither option 1 nor option 2.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey went in for option 3, which meant keeping the leaseholders in limbo," he stated.

This third option, according to Lone, transformed leased land into a "milking cow," where legitimate government fees became "underhand money paid to the person in power." He pointed out that most leases expired between the early 2000s and now, yet previous governments with full powers chose inaction over resolution.

"Gulmarg especially is the backbone of tourism. How could you allow expired leases to pile up because you want a HAFTA?" Lone questioned, highlighting how corruption undermined Kashmir's key economic sector.

He noted that previous state governments had the authority to legalize encroachments and generate revenue, "but nothing was done. In fact, encroachment was used as a tool against the leaseholders."

With the post-2019 scenario putting all leases in danger, Lone called for accountability: "Can we please at least have a discussion on who created this problem by creating a milking cow."(KNS)