New ‘Ease of doing Business’ rules will wreak havoc with residential areas, environment in J&K: Kashmir-based civil society group

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.