Amid Protests by Farmers, Opp Higher rent, letter of intent in 21 days: Mann govt tweaks land pooling policy

Indian Express

22-07-2025

The Punjab government Monday announced several changes in its land pooling policy, hours after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that the scheme in its original form was 'pro-farmer' and 'development oriented', and slammed the opposition parties for 'misleading' people about it.
The Aam Aadmi Party government has been facing flak from landowners and the opposition parties, who have dubbed the policy a 'land loot' scheme 'tailor-made' to 'forcibly acquire' farmers' land, a charge denied by the ruling dispensation. On Monday too, separate protests were held in Amritsar, and Mohali by farmers' unions and the Congress, respectively.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, announced that rent for every acre of land to be acquired under the policy has been doubled from earlier promised Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, and the letter of intent will be issued within 21 days after getting their consent for the land pooling.
Mundian made the announcement after meeting landowners from 164 villages across Punjab, to be affected by the policy. 'I have come with a good news for the farmer brothers. They have been saying that Rs 50,000 per acre as rent for their land, after they give consent for land pooling, was very less. They said that they earn Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 from agriculture on every acre every year. We have decided to increase it (the rent). When they give consent, they will be given Rs 50,000 in advance for one year. The farmer will be allowed to do agriculture on the land till the development work is started. When we take the possession of the land, the farmers will start getting Rs 1 lakh,' Mundian said.
'Farmers said that development takes two to three years to be completed. We have found a way. They will be given an increase of 10 per cent on this Rs 1 lakh every year till they are given the plots and commercial land, in lieu of their land given for acquisition. The increased amount will continue to be given regularly till the development is completed,' he added.
The Minister further said that the government has now decided to issue the Letter of Intent (LOI) to farmers within 21 days of getting their consent. 'The landowners have been saying that there was no clarity on issuance of LOI as the incumbent government had only 1.5 years left in the office. And if a new government is elected, then they will not know whether their land will be used for development or not. We have now cleared their apprehensions. Now, the landowners should not have any problem,' he said.
Later, an official said that CM Mann has called a Cabinet meeting Tuesday where the tweaked land pooling policy is likely to be tabled.
Earlier in day, addressing a gathering in Sangrur after disbursing grants worth Rs 31.30 crore to 70 villages under the Dhuri Assembly segment for development works, Mann slammed the opposition for 'hoodwinking' facts and misinforming people about the scheme for 'vested political interests'.
Mann said there will be no forcible acquisition of land under the scheme, which will immensely 'benefit' the farmers of the state. The CM further said that people are aware of the 'dubious character' of the opposition leaders, who 'backstabbed' Punjabis on several issues.
'The land pooling policy is aimed at creating a perennial source of income for the farmers and making them an active partner in the growth and progress of the state,' Mann added.
'There is no forcible acquisition. There is no bar on the land registry. If anybody wants to give land, he can give. He will get 1,000 square yards of residential plot and 200 square yards of commercial plot under the scheme,' Mann said, adding 'If you have given your land, you can do farming till the government develops the land'..
'Do not believe in rumours being spread by the opposition parties. We want Punjab's success,' Mann said, as he targeted the opposition parties for criticising his government over the scheme.
Mann also said that commercial property in planned colonies to be carved out under the land pooling scheme will be a permanent asset for the farmers. He said the policy is aimed at giving impetus to the overall growth of the state.
The state Cabinet last month gave its nod to the land pooling policy and asserted that 'not even a single yard will be forcibly acquired from the land owners'. Under the land pooling policy, a land owner will be given 1,000 square yards of residential plot and 200 square yards of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land, the state government said earlier.
It also said the policy was designed to foster transparent and planned urban development across Punjab.