Punjab Government Withdraws Land Pooling Policy After Flak From Farmer Bodies, Opposition
Punjab's AAP government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, withdrew its land pooling policy after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered an interim stay.
Amid stiff opposition from rival political parties and farmer bodies, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab withdrew its land pooling policy on Monday, along with all subsequent amendments.
The decision came after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a few days ago, ordered an interim stay on its implementation for four weeks.
The now-scrapped policy proposed to acquire thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land across the state for development purposes, without conducting any Social Impact Assessment (SIA) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, triggering widespread concern and resistance, news agency PTI reported.
According to this, a land owner would be given a 1,000 square yard residential plot and a 200 square yard commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land.
In a press note issued by the Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, it was stated, 'Government hereby withdraws the land pooling policy dated May 14, 2025 and its subsequent amendments. Consequently, all action like LOIs (letters of intent) issued, registration done or any other taken there under shall be reversed henceforth".
The policy, defended dearly by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other top AAP leaders, had been facing flak from the opposition parties and various farmer bodies, which dubbed the land pooling policy a "looting" scheme aimed at "robbing" farmers of their land.
The Shiromani Akali Dal, the BJP and the Congress, among others, had held multiple protests against the policy while various farmer bodies, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, had also planned demonstrations and protests.
The state government had planned to acquire around 65,000 acres of land in 164 villages, including in Ludhiana, to develop residential and industrial zones.
(With inputs from agencies)
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