High Court Orders Refund of Premium Paid Under Roshni Act, Rejects Compensation

Jammu, Sept 6: In a landmark decision, the Jammu & Kashmir High Court has ordered the refund of premiums paid under the now-repealed Roshni Act. The court also declined claims for compensation from beneficiaries who had received land under the scheme.

Refund, Not Compensation

The court clarified that while premium payments must be returned, compensation for land allotted under the discredited Roshni Act will not be granted. The ruling emphasized that the scheme has been declared unconstitutional and those who benefited from it should not receive further gains.

Roshni Act Background

Enacted in 2001 to generate revenue for hydroelectric projects, the Roshni Act allowed occupants to gain ownership of state land against a preferential premium. However, it soon became embroiled in controversies, with allegations of corruption and favoritism prompting judicial scrutiny and eventual repeal.

In 2020, the J&K High Court ruled the Act unconstitutional and ordered a CBI investigation into land transactions under the scheme.

Significance & Impact

This verdict signals a significant shift toward accountability in public land allocation. Courts are making clear that beneficiaries cannot retain gains from a scheme invalidated by law. Now, refunds aim to mitigate undue enrichment, but no additional benefit will be granted.

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Source: Daily Excelsior (Read original)

Labels: Roshni Act, J&K High Court, Refund Order, Land Allotment, Legal Verdict

Tags: #RoshniAct #HighCourt #Refund #LegalOrder #DailyExcelsior

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