Amid oppn attack, Cheema says won't forcibly acquire land in Ludhiana

Time of India

22-05-2025

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Chandigarh: Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated on Thursday that the state govt's land pooling policy would involve no forcible acquisition, as it entails voluntary participation by landowners.
The statement came a day after
Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) criticised the state housing department's plan to acquire a record 24,311 acres in southern Ludhiana for urban estates, marking the largest single land acquisition planned in a single region.
Cheema said, "The opposition parties, who patronised the land mafia, are now making wild allegations. No farmer's land will be acquired forcibly. Instead, we're making a significant departure from past practices, prioritising voluntary participation and empowering landowners to become active stakeholders in the state's progress."
He added, "The policy's core principle of 100% voluntary participation. Under this visionary policy, there will be no forcible land acquisition.
We developed a model that respects the rights and aspirations of our farmers and landowners."
Cheema also highlighted the economic benefits for participating landowners. "The policy directly addresses the growing demand for affordable housing in our urban centres, driven by Punjab's rapid urbanization.
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Market estimates indicate that farmers who engage in this Land Pooling Policy stand to gain up to a 400 percent return on their land investment, "he stated.
He said that the development agencies of the state govt would undertake the development of pooled land, ensuring the provision of modern infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage, and electricity. "Once developed, the land, returned to the original landowners as per their contribution, will appreciate significantly.
Landowners will have the autonomy to utilize their developed land as they see fit, whether for personal use or for sale," he said.
He claimed that the land pooling was in contrast to the "land mafia" and the era of "illegal colonies" and forcible land acquisitions. "For the past three decades, the Congress, Akali-BJP governments have operated in collusion with the land mafia, enriching their political allies at the expense of our farmers. This policy puts an end to that corrupt system," he alleged.