Latest news with #BhagwantMann
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Punjab govt to develop 4,000 sports grounds to fight drug menace, promote youth sports: CM Mann
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann (Image: PTI) CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that modern sports grounds will be developed in villages across the state to wean youth away from drugs and channelise their energy in a positive direction. "We have decided to develop these grounds. The work on 3,083 grounds is going to start and a total of 4,000 grounds will be developed in the first phase," he said during a press conference here. He said athletes who won medals in international competitions will also be involved in coaching to promote a sporting culture among the youth. There are nearly 13,000 villages in Punjab, and quality sports grounds will be built in every village, he added. Mann said when children take part in sports, they stay away from bad habits and their energy is channelised positively. Taking a swipe at previous governments, he alleged they pushed youth towards drugs. "Youth were inclined towards sports and education. But during the previous governments' time, they were neither given grounds nor books. As they say, an idle mind is a devil's workshop, many youth fell into bad habits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo Gradually, Punjab slipped into the quagmire of drugs and youngsters did not get the atmosphere they deserved," he said. "Being a Punjabi and a sports lover, our aim is to pull the state's youth out of the drug menace. For that, we need to give them alternatives so they do not slip back into the habit," Mann said. He stressed that the best alternative is sports and added that with proper support and opportunities, Punjab's youth can excel in several sports. Despite lack of facilities in the past, players like Shubman Gill and Harbhajan Singh emerged from Punjab, he said, adding that many players in the national hockey team also come from the state. Punjab's youth can excel in hockey, cricket, kabaddi, athletics -- what they need is the right atmosphere and support, the chief minister said.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
GMADA's land pooling policy faces major setback in Mohali
1 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 |
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab cabinet approves amendments to land pooling policy
CHANDIGARH : The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to its land pooling policy, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slamming the opposition parties for allegedly spreading propaganda against the scheme. Mann countered the opposition's charge that the scheme would "rob" farmers of their land and claimed that the farming community was "liking" the policy. The Punjab Cabinet last month gave its nod to the land pooling policy and had then asserted that not even a single yard will be forcibly acquired from land owners. After chairing a Cabinet meeting here, Mann said the opposition parties' claim that there will be no land registry once the notification of a piece of land is issued was baseless. For example, if an urban estate is to be developed over 140 acres of land and the land owners of 15 acres do not give their land for it. Then it does not mean that farmers (owning 15 acres) cannot take a loan, or mortgage their land," he said while speaking to reporters here. Mann said that until the urban development work starts over a piece of land, farmers who opt for the land pooling scheme can do farming activities. They will get Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation, he further said. After the government takes possession of the land, farmers will then get Rs one lakh per acre, he said. "If it takes more than a year in land development, then farmers will get a 10 per cent increase every year in the (Rs 1 lakh) amount," said Mann, while referring to amendments made in the policy following suggestions of farmers. Mann described the land pooling policy as a "historic" policy of the AAP government and said it is a policy in which there is no injustice to farmers. "Rather, they (farmers) are becoming partners (of the scheme). They are liking the policy," he said. Under the land pooling policy, a land owner will be given a 1,000 square yards of residential plot and a 200 square yards of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land, the state government had said earlier. Mann said if a farmer does not want 200 square yards of a commercial plot, then he will be given an additional 600 square yards in a residential plot, which will then become a total of 1,600 square yards. Chief Secretary K A P Sinha said farmers will be able to get a loan against the letter of intent. "Farmers will not face any financial loss," said the chief minister. According to an official statement issued later, the most significant highlight of these amendments is that farmers will now receive an annual livelihood allowance of Rs 1 lakh until their land is developed, a fivefold increase compared to the Rs 20,000 given by previous governments. There will be no restrictions on the sale or purchase of land. Farmers will be free to buy, sell, or register their land at any time, said the statement. These amendments aim to make the land collection process by the Department of Housing and Urban Development more efficient, inclusive, and attractive. The Punjab government had earlier introduced the land pooling policy 2025 to involve landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in urban development and to encourage participation in land pooling. To gather feedback for the policy, the state government conducted several meetings with sarpanches of various villages, representatives of different unions, and farmers. Based on the suggestions received, amendments have now been incorporated into the policy to make it more progressive, rational, and development-oriented. As per the amended policy, landowners whose land is taken will be offered an alternative of 125 square yards of residential land and 25 square yards of commercial land per kanal of land. It was also decided that no charges other than external development charges (EDC) will be levied in the case of land pooling involving 50 acres or more. Additionally, landowners surrendering commercial land will receive three times the residential area in return. The AAP government has been facing flak from the opposition parties, which dubbed the land pooling policy a "looting" scheme to "rob" farmers of their land. Even farmer bodies, including the Samukta Kisan Morcha, have also opposed the scheme. After clearing the policy last month, Mann had said it was designed to foster transparent and planned urban development across the state.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kejriwal In Action: AAP Chief Storms PM Modi's Bastion In Gujarat
SPOTLIGHT / Jul 23, 2025, 01:36PM IST After poll drubbing in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal is back in action. He along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann participate in a Mahapanchayat in Gujarat in support of dairy farmers and livestock keepers. Watch.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Pb clears amendments to land pooling policy
Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to its land pooling policy, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slamming the opposition parties for allegedly spreading propaganda against the scheme. Mann countered the opposition's charge that the scheme would 'rob' farmers of their land and claimed that the farming community was 'liking' the policy. The Punjab Cabinet last month gave its nod to the land pooling policy and had then asserted that not even a single yard will be forcibly acquired from land owners. After chairing a Cabinet meeting here, Mann said the opposition parties' claim that there will be no land registry once the notification of a piece of land is issued was baseless. 'For example, if an urban estate is to be developed over 140 acres of land and which land owners of 15 acres do not give their land for it. Then it does not mean that farmers (owning 15 acres) cannot take a loan, or mortgage their land,' he said while speaking to reporters here. Mann said that until the urban development work starts over a piece of land, farmers who opt for the land pooling scheme can do farming activities. They will get Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation, he further said. After the government takes possession of the land, farmers will then get Rs one lakh per acre, he said. 'If it takes more than a year in land development, then farmers will get a 10 per cent increase every year in the (Rs 1 lakh) amount,' said Mann, while referring to amendments made in the policy following suggestions of farmers. Mann described the land pooling policy as a 'historic' policy of the AAP government and said it is a policy in which there is no injustice to farmers. 'Rather, they (farmers) are becoming partners (of the scheme). They are liking the policy,' he said. Under the land pooling policy, a land owner will be given a 1,000 square yards of residential plot and a 200 square yards of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land, the state government had said earlier. Mann said if a farmer does not want 200 square yards of a commercial plot, then he will be given an additional 600 square yards in a residential plot, which will then become a total of 1,600 square yards. Chief Secretary K A P Sinha said Farmers will be able to get a loan against the letter of intent. 'Farmers will not face any financial loss,' said the chief minister.
