GMADA's land pooling policy faces major setback in Mohali
2
Mohali: The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority's (GMADA) ambitious land pooling policy faced a near-total rejection in Mohali, with only 51 applications received from nearly 8,000 eligible landowners after a two-month campaign aimed at acquiring 2,600 acres for urban development.
The scheme, aimed at regulated expansion across Sectors 84, 87, 101–103, and 120–124 along the PR-7 road, has met with strong resistance from local farmers and political parties alike. Protests have already been held by the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal is set to launch a similar agitation in the coming days.
Farmer groups from villages such as Patton, Siaou, Badi, Kishanpura, Kurdi, and Matran have submitted a formal memorandum to chief minister Bhagwant Mann, opposing the policy.
According to GMADA officials, only 45 farmers from Mohali district submitted applications under the scheme, highlighting the overwhelming lack of interest. The land pooling policy was launched to acquire land for planned commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential projects.
GMADA maintains that the move is critical to curbing unauthorised colonies that are rapidly emerging on agricultural land, particularly in villages such as Daun, Raipur, Behlolpur, Barmajra, Tarauli, and Jhampur, where illegal developments reportedly spanned over 50 acres.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Villas in Dubai | Search Ads
Get Info
Undo
The landowners of Mullanpur, where Eco-City-III is proposed and for which land is to be acquired, also rejected the policy, terming it anti-farmer, especially for those having small chunks of land. The policy is beneficial for those holding larger chunks of land.
"GMADA is offering compensation far below market value. We are the rightful owners of our land and will not part with it on these terms," said Harvinder Singh Lambardar, a farmer leader representing the agitating landowners.
He accused the govt of attempting to dispossess small and marginal farmers for the benefit of big developers, calling the policy "exploitative and unfair." Farmers have also alleged that coercive tactics are being used, including police pressure, to compel them into joining the land pooling scheme.
"Many of us with less than five acres stand to lose the most, while the bigger landholders benefit," said another protesting farmer.
Action Ordered Against Illegal Colonies
Concerned about the rapid mushrooming of such unauthorised colonies, GMADA's chief administrator has ordered officials to submit a report within two days, identifying violations and fixing responsibility. The use of Google satellite imagery has also been approved to trace illegal constructions and initiate action against violators. The administration has made it clear that no Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions will be granted to private developers in the earmarked zones.
Political and Administrative Fallout
A senior GMADA officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the poor response to the scheme. "We tried to convince farmers, but only 51 showed interest initially. The sentiment is very negative," the officer said. As opposition parties intensify their protests and public backlash grows, the future of GMADA's land pooling policy in Mohali remains uncertain and politically sensitive.
With participation numbers failing to pick up, the administration may soon have to re-evaluate the policy or consider alternative land acquisition models that take into account the concerns of the farming community.
GMADA's acquisition plans
- 236 acres in Sector 87 for commercial purposes,
- 313 acres in Sector 84 for institutional use,
- 321 acres in Sectors 101 to 103 for industrial projects
- 1,800 acres in Sectors 120 to 124 along the PR-7 road for residential development.
MSID: 122862229 413 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
SC backs mother's right to gift self-acquired property to son
Hyderabad: In a ruling that strengthens the property rights of Hindu women, the Supreme Court has brought closure to a bitter family dispute by upholding a mother's decision to gift her self-acquired property to one of her sons. The apex court dismissed a special leave petition filed by her youngest son, who had challenged the validity of the gift deed on the grounds that the property was joint family property. At the heart of the dispute lies a prime three-storeyed residence in Jubilee Hills, spread across 1,182 square yards. The property was purchased in 1988 by Susheela Agarwal in her own name, a key fact that ultimately shaped the outcome of the legal battle. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Calling the verdict a landmark moment, advocate Dishit Bhattacharjee—representing the second son—said, "This judgment is a clear affirmation of women's autonomy over their property and a strong deterrent against baseless partition claims." In 2022, Susheela gifted the property through a registered deed to her eldest son. Her youngest son, Bajranglal Agarwal, objected, claiming that the property had been bought by their late father in the mother's name and that she had no independent means to finance such a purchase. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo He sought a partition, asserting that the asset formed part of the joint family property. However, both the trial court and the Telangana high court summarily rejected the suit under Order VII, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, stating it failed to establish a valid cause of action and was barred under section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act. The high court bench, headed by Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya, observed that the petitioner had previously accepted his mother's authority over the property when she had drafted a will in August 2022, dividing it equally among her three sons. The twist came when the mother revised her will and executed a gift deed in December 2022, granting the entire property to her eldest son. While the second son respected her decision, the youngest son launched a legal challenge, reversing his earlier stance and contending that the property belonged to the joint family. During the proceedings, the mother's counsel produced clear documentation showing that the purchase in 1988 was made from her personal funds, with payments made via her own cheques—establishing her exclusive ownership. Invoking section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act, which grants Hindu women full ownership over property acquired by them, the courts consistently upheld her right to deal with the property as she pleased. With the Supreme Court's refusal to admit the appeal, the ruling now stands as final. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC stays govt notice on creation of STF police stns
1 2 Kolkata: A division bench of Calcutta High Court's Jalpaiguri circuit bench has stayed a Bengal govt gazette notification announcing the creation of two Special Task Force (STF) police stations and tying them up with two existing courts in two parts of the state. The state had set up the designated police stations — one in north Bengal and the other in south — to register FIRs and investigate offences under special acts like Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. "The entire scheme of BNSS has been sought to be frustrated, prima facie" by such a notification, said a bench of justices Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Uday Kumar, ordering an interim stay on it till Sept 15 or until further orders. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "Access to justice is not a fancy right. If the notification is to be given force, then a person living in a remote area will never report an offence," Justice Bhattacharyya observed. The bench, however, held that FIRs already registered with the two STF police stations and the investigation thereafter would not be affected by the stay order but their fate shall depend on the outcome of the writ petition. The state, by a notification on Jan 31, created one STF police station at the STF HQ in Salt Lake for all south Bengal districts from Murshidabad to East Midnapore, other than areas under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police, and the other at Ambikanagar in Siliguri for all north Bengal districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo By a subsequent notification on May 16, the govt tied up these police stations with the ACJM court, Bidhannagar and ACJM court, Siliguri. The additional advocate general pleaded that the executive action was well within the powers of state govt. However, the bench underscored the distinction between "local jurisdiction" of courts and determination of "local area" of police stations under BNSS. Having referred to the distinction, the bench held that the state had "picked and chosen" the local limits of police stations "at its whims". Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith under investigation for alleged illegal political activity; here's what you need to know
Jack Smith , the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his reelection to a second term, is now being investigated by federal officials. Following the reports by other news organizations, the investigation was confirmed on Saturday (August 2, 2025) by the Office of Special Counsel , an independent federal agency. Smith was named special counsel to investigate Trump by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category others Healthcare Management healthcare Others Cybersecurity Product Management Leadership Technology Degree Data Science MCA Finance MBA Design Thinking Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Project Management Data Science CXO PGDM Digital Marketing Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details Trump and his Republican allies, including Sen. Tom Cotton, have, without offering evidence of wrongdoing, accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act , a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Best Method for a Flat Stomach After 50 (It's Genius!) Lulutox Undo Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Trump Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election. Smith ultimately dropped the cases; neither one had gone to trial after Trump was reelected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to longstanding Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special counsel. Live Events Cotton, R-Ark., on Wednesday asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Smith, alleging that his conduct was designed to help then-President Joe Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, both Democrats. Biden had dropped his bid for reelection following his disastrous performance in a campaign debate against Trump and tapped Harris to succeed him on the ticket. Trump won the election and returned to the White House for a second term. The New York Post was first to report on the investigation into Smith.
