Gaurav urges LG Sinha to expedite Artificial Tawi Lake Project

Lauds LG Amdin for resolving Stamp Duty issue, bringing relief to property holders in J&K

Gaurav Gupta, former General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu, met with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, and thanked him for resolving Stamp Duty issue, bringing relief to property holders of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, Gaurav Gupta expressed his appreciation for LG Sinha led Administration for addressing the long-standing issue of stamp duty in property transactions. He praised the recent resolution that allows the attachment of previously paid stamp duty on power of attorney documents to new sale deeds, providing much-needed relief to property owners and significantly easing the process of property registration across the Union Territory.

Since January 2024, property transactions in Jammu and Kashmir faced delays due to a government software limitation, which prevented the use of paid stamp duty from power of attorney documents on new transactions. This issue stalled hundreds of registrations, causing considerable inconvenience for residents.

Notably, Gaurav Gupta has raised this significant issue of Stamp Duty issue at various levels from the office of the LG Sinha and Chief Secretary J&K for early redressal in the past.

Gaurav also acknowledged the efforts of Bashir Ahmed Bhat, IRS, Inspector General Registeration and other concerned authorities of Revenue Department for rectifying the issue, which has now restored a smooth process for property transactions. He commended the Government’s proactive approach, stating, "The timely intervention by the administration, especially under the leadership of Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, demonstrates a strong commitment to resolving public grievances swiftly and ensuring the convenience of citizens."

During the meeting, Gaurav also raised serious concerns over the prolonged delays in the completion of the Artificial Tawi Lake project. He highlighted the project’s significance for the region's tourism, economy, and local residents’ quality of life, stressing the urgent need to expedite its progress.

Gaurav underscored the aspirations of the people of Jammu for the timely completion of this long-awaited project, which was envisioned to transform the Tawi Riverfront into a vibrant, scenic hub attracting both tourists and locals. He pointed out that the artificial lake, once operational, could substantially boost tourism, create jobs, and support local businesses.

Gaurav Gupta shared his concerns about the slow pace of work, which has not only dampened public expectations but also delayed the economic benefits anticipated from this ambitious initiative. He urged LG Sinha to look into the project’s bottlenecks, directing concerned departments to prioritize and address any technical or administrative hurdles hindering its timely completion.

In response, LG Manoj Sinha assured Gaurav Gupta of his personal commitment to this initiative. The Hon'ble LG stated that he would personally visit the project site in the coming days to assess the progress and reiterated his resolve to see the project completed promptly.