A Kashmir‑based civil society group, the Group of Concerned Citizens, issued a warning on Friday, October 9, 2026, that newly introduced rules on “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living” could trigger widespread construction and harm residents and the environment. The group, led by former IAS officer Khursheed Ganai, said the regulations would allow white‑ and green‑industry projects to be set up in residential areas for the first time in the Union Territory.
According to Ganai, the rules in Schedules 2, 3 and 5 remove the need for permissions or no‑objection certificates in many cases. He warned that such relaxations could lead to “feverish, pervasive and large‑scale construction” across Kashmir, eroding open spaces and increasing dust pollution. Ganai also criticised provisions that grant automatic approval if a permit is not obtained in time, describing them as a license for an unregulated concrete jungle.
The civil society panel highlighted long‑term environmental risks, noting that the rules even propose allowing sub‑optimal schools and colleges. Ganai argued that “ease of living” cannot be achieved if regulatory oversight is weakened, and urged the government to revisit and strengthen the provisions.
The Bill that introduced these changes was presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 28, 2026, and has been approved by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The group’s concerns focus on the potential erosion of urban planning, public welfare and the fragile ecosystem of the region.
