Overview
- Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania directed that the Select Committee include ruling and opposition members and report in the Budget Session before the bill returns to the House.
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accepted the referral after debate on the winter session’s final day in Dharamshala.
- Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said Section 118 protections are not being weakened and proposed bringing rural leasing in line with existing urban rules.
- The draft provides 10‑year lease exemptions from Section 118 for rural buildings and outlines further carve-outs for certain housing purchases, agriculturist-only cooperatives, and time extensions for bona fide projects.
- BJP MLA Randhir Sharma warned the changes could enable outsiders to run homestays and other businesses in rural areas and urged careful scrutiny to protect local interests and the environment.