Faced with farmers' backlash, Punjab scraps controversial Land Pooling Policy
Farmer unions, however, strongly opposed the policy, calling it detrimental to their interests.Protests erupted across the state, with rallies, tractor and motorcycle marches, and public questioning of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The policy was also challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which stayed its implementation.Faced with mounting agitation, the government first announced a withdrawal and has now de-notified the policy, fulfilling a key demand of farmer groups."We brought this policy but after that the feedback of the farmers was taken into account and the government decided to roll it back as the government is committed to the sentiments of the farmers," Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said.Farmer leaders welcomed the move but noted it came only after intense demonstrations. They accused the government of pushing through the policy without adequate consultation and warned against any future attempts to implement similar measures.The Land Pooling Policy was intended to facilitate planned development by consolidating fragmented landholdings and returning developed plots to landowners.Officials had argued it would benefit farmers by increasing the value of their land. However, opposition parties and unions argued it risked dispossessing farmers of fertile agricultural land without ensuring fair returns or long-term security.With the de-notification, the state government has signalled it is stepping back from the proposal entirely. The development is being seen as a political retreat for the Mann-led AAP government, which had faced escalating unrest in rural areas in recent weeks.- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Punjab
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
11 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
SC dismisses AAP MP's plea against UP government shutting 105 primary schools
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh challenging the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to shut down 105 primary schools, Live Law reported. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih noted that the matter is pending before the Allahabad High Court. It agreed to Singh's request to direct the High Court to hear the matter expeditiously. In June, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered the closure of the schools after finding that they had either zero or very few students enrolled. The state government had said that they would be 'paired' with other institutions. In his petition, Singh had argued that the state government's decision was 'arbitrary, unconstitutional and legally impermissible'. He added that it would negatively affect the access to education of many children in the state. Singh also said that the order violated children's right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The MP told the court that the Right to Education Rules require the establishment of a primary school within one kilometre of every habitation with at least 300 residents. The Uttar Pradesh government has defended the move as part of a policy restructuring and alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, arguing that sustaining schools with negligible student strength was inefficient, the Hindustan Times reported.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
SC declines to hear Sanjay Singh's plea against merger of 105 UP primary schools
New Delhi, India: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea filed by (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh challenging the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to pair and merge 105 government-run primary schools. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Are you not trying to enforce rights under the Right to Education Act? If it is a statutory right, then it cannot be camouflaged as a writ petition under Article 32 (dealing with enforcement of fundamental rights)! Let the Allahabad High Court decide the matter,' a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih remarked at the outset. Sensing the Bench's reluctance to hear the matter, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Singh, sought permission to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the Allahabad High Court. The apex court then dismissed the matter as withdrawn. Singh's petition had argued that the government's decision, formalised through a June 16 order and a June 24 list, was 'arbitrary, unconstitutional, and legally impermissible.' It said the merger of schools with low enrolment had adversely affected access to education, forcing children to travel longer distances without transportation or other facilities. This, the plea contended, violated the right to free and compulsory education under Article 21A and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). Citing Rule 4 of the Uttar Pradesh RTE Rules, 2011, the petition stressed that primary schools must be located 'within one kilometre of a child's residence, particularly in habitations with a population of not less than 300 persons.' 'The state government cannot discharge its duty merely by showing that another school exists somewhere in the vicinity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If the school is beyond 1 km, it violates Rule 4(1)(a) unless the exceptions under Rule 4(2) are met — which they are not,' the plea stated. It further argued that any policy or executive action compelling children to travel unreasonable distances to attend school — such as closures or mergers — is prima facie unconstitutional and contrary to Article 21A and the RTE Act. The petition also cited the Mohini Jain vs State of Karnataka and Unnikrishnan, J.P. vs State of Andhra Pradesh judgments, which affirmed the right to education as flowing from the right to life and dignity, and as a fundamental right up to the age of 14. IANS
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Vote Chori' row heats up: 'Election Commission's Presser a comedy show...,' AAP's Sanjay Singh raps EC - The Economic Times Video
On Election Commission of India's Press Conference, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "Today, the Election Commission did not provide any factual answers. How did they decide on SIR? They did not take political parties and the people of Bihar into confidence. A major scam has taken place through the SIR process. 65 lakh votes were cut... The Election Commission has committed all these corrupt practices. It is the Election Commission's job to check whether there is any irregularity in SIR or not... All these things raise questions in themselves... They said that raising questions about the Election Commission is against the Constitution, but is stealing votes in accordance with the Constitution?..."
