Latest news with #EktaDakaunda
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab farm groups hail high court's decision to stay AAP govt's Land Pooling Policy
Bathinda: Farm organisations have welcomed the decision of the Punjab and Haryana high court to put a temporary stay on the Land Pooling Policy of the Punjab govt for four weeks. Farm groups said the court should direct the state govt to engage in talks with stakeholders, mainly farmers and landowners, as they did not want to give away their lands. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If the govt is serious about the welfare of farmers and does not want to help corporates in collecting land, it should scrap the policy," said leaders of farm organisations. All India Kisan Federation president Prem Singh Bhangu said the govt should listen to dissenting voices and withdraw it forthwith as it was violative of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) leader Jagmohan Singh said the govt failed to conduct any survey regarding environmental and social impact of the acquisition before issuing the notification. "The notification is silent about the rehabilitation of a vast majority of people other than landowners, like agri workers and artisans, who too will be affected," Jagmohan added. He said the govt had failed to provide developed plots and commercial sites around Mohali even after many years of certain schemes. "The policy issued by the govt is, in fact, in favour of builders and private developers and against farmers," he added. Farmers said the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will force the govt to scrap the land pooling policy, or it may have to face protests.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Villagers oppose land pooling scheme and pass panchayat resolutions in Ludhiana
1 2 Ludhiana: A growing number of villages across this Punjab district are mounting resistance to a govt-backed land pooling scheme, passing formal resolutions to reject land acquisition plans they believe threaten their livelihoods, culture, and environment. Despite claims by the civil administration that it has not received any such opposition in writing, local panchayats and farmer groups say at least 42 to 43 villages have passed gram sabha resolutions opposing the plan, which aims to convert large tracts of farmland into developed residential and commercial zones. Jagroop Singh Hassanpur, district vice-president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Dakaunda), who spearheads this resistance, said his own 6 acres fall under the proposed pooling scheme. "Without the consent of gram sabhas, the govt cannot acquire land legally," he said. "We have set up a permanent protest site outside the Glada (Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority) office. Villagers from affected areas sit there daily from 10 am to 5 pm. " The resistance appears widespread. Villages including Malak, Malak Patti, Aligarh, Poona, and Agwar Gujran have reportedly submitted resolutions rejecting the scheme. Jagtar Singh, husband of the Malak village sarpanch, said more than 80% of the villagers had signed the resolution. In nearby Patti Malak, a similar resolution was shared by Sukhwinder Singh, husband of the local sarpanch, who said the only dissent had come from about 10% of villagers who are non-resident Indians (NRIs). Protesters say the scheme is being pushed despite deep concerns over its economic, social and environmental implications. Villagers recall past instances — such as a failed 1988 govt sugar mill project in Nanaksar — as evidence of broken promises and underwhelming development. In Aligarh, landowner Surjit Singh, who stands to lose more than 50 acres, said: "If we give up our land, we'll have nothing left. Farming is our livelihood. We will fight this (acquisition attempt) tooth and nail." In Samrala's Baliyon village, the panchayat passed a resolution after 250 acres were marked for acquisition. Sarpanch Maninder Singh said they had submitted the resolution to Glada, the SDM (subdivisional magistrate), and the BDPO (block development and panchayat officer). "We cultivate three crops a year. Sirhind canal is nearby, the water table is high — this is fertile land, not something we're willing to part with," he said. Despite this, Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain — who also serves as chief administrator of Glada — denied receiving any such resolutions. He said the administration was working to dispel villagers' doubts by circulating a frequently asked questions (FAQ) pamphlet outlining the policy's supposed benefits. Going by the FAQ, for every acre (4,840 sq-yds) of land pooled, owners will receive developed residential and commercial plots, a subsistence allowance of ₹50,000 for each acre during the offer period, and ₹1 lakh/annum after formal possession — with 10% annual increase. The policy is described as voluntary and non-coercive. When asked how many landowners had consented, the DC placed the number at "just 10 to 12". Hassanpur, however, dismissed the official narrative as misleading. "He's lying," he said bluntly. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mattewara to Chamkaur Sahib: Punjab takes stand against pollution; fight on for cleaner future
Bathinda: Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered at Chamkaur Sahib for a public hearing against the proposal to establish a paper mill, adding to a growing list of recent environmental campaigns focused on combating groundwater contamination and wildlife preservation. One such movement emerged from Kum Kalan-Mattewara, where a proposed textile and apparel park, part of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme, was to be developed on 1,000 acres near the eco-sensitive Satluj river in July 2022. The cancellation of the project encouraged environmentalists to rally around residents of villages in the Zira sub-division of the border district Ferozepur. The villagers had been protesting against a distillery and ethanol project after discovering a strange taste in their borewell water — even at depths of 600 feet. The protests, led by the Zira Sanjha Morcha, gained enough traction to prompt the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct a study on air and water contamination. Based on the findings, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced the closure of the distillery. These protests also drew attention to Budda Dariya, a nearly 50-km long channel running from Kum Kalan village to Walipur, severely polluted with waste from dyeing and electroplating industries, as well as solid waste. The water from Budda Dariya flows into the Satluj, which serves as a drinking water source for 10 districts in Rajasthan. The battle to save these water resources continues. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo During this environmental outcry, the state govt proposed the construction of biogas plants in Bhundari, Akhara, Mashkabad, Chahar, and Bagga Kalan villages in Ludhiana, as well as Bhogpur in Jalandhar. Starting on March 25, 2024, residents in these areas, supported by social activists and farmer forum BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), began protesting. Due to public resistance, no progress has been made in setting up the plants, and in some areas, industries have even vacated their premises. However, on April 26, police forcibly ended the protest at Akhara. In response, residents gathered again on Wednesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the protest. Activists, including Kanwaljit Khanna, Narain Dutt, and BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) president Manjit Singh Dhaner, reiterated their demand that such industries be located away from populated areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has yet to address the proposed plants' classification. The public hearing on Wednesday at Chamkaur Sahib was focused on the proposed paper mill, which would occupy nearly 200 acres of land. The PPCB invited residents to voice their objections before the environment impact assessment (EIA) process began. The Public Action Committee, Mattewara Morcha, filed a formal complaint, highlighting concerns over environmental degradation. They urged that the paper mill proposal be rejected. The committee argued that the proposed site, located near the Sirhind Canal — a vital water source for local agriculture and drinking water — would deplete water supplies. Additionally, the project is expected to discharge untreated effluents and harmful emissions, leading to soil and water contamination, as well as severe air pollution. This could trigger respiratory and skin ailments among residents. The proposed site is also close to a region of immense religious and historical significance, and the committee pointed out that such industrial development would show blatant disregard for cultural and spiritual values. "Opposing the establishment of a paper mill on such a large scale signifies the evolution of an environmental revolution in Punjab. We have never before witnessed such widespread concern for the environment and for preventing the health risks that contaminated water and air pose to the people," said activists Col Jaskirat Singh (retd), CM Lakhanpal, and Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd). BOX GREEN BATTLES, BIG WINS Victory in Mattewara | The proposed textile park in the eco-sensitive area near the Satluj was cancelled after widespread protests, marking a significant win for environmental activists in the region. Zira distillery shutdown | Protests by residents led to the closure of a polluting distillery in Zira after the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed water contamination from the facility. Ongoing biogas plant protests | Residents of villages like Bhundari and Akhara, supported by farmer groups, continue to oppose the setting up of biogas plants, preventing their establishment so far. Paper mill opposition | A large public hearing in Chamkaur Sahib saw strong opposition to a proposed paper mill, with activists demanding a halt due to potential water and air pollution risks. Bathinda: Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered at Chamkaur Sahib for a public hearing against the proposal to establish a paper mill, adding to a growing list of recent environmental campaigns focused on combating groundwater contamination and wildlife preservation. One such movement emerged from Kum Kalan-Mattewara, where a proposed textile and apparel park, part of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme, was to be developed on 1,000 acres near the eco-sensitive Satluj river in July 2022. The cancellation of the project encouraged environmentalists to rally around residents of villages in the Zira sub-division of the border district Ferozepur. The villagers had been protesting against a distillery and ethanol project after discovering a strange taste in their borewell water — even at depths of 600 feet. The protests, led by the Zira Sanjha Morcha, gained enough traction to prompt the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct a study on air and water contamination. Based on the findings, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced the closure of the distillery. These protests also drew attention to Budda Dariya, a nearly 50-km long channel running from Kum Kalan village to Walipur, severely polluted with waste from dyeing and electroplating industries, as well as solid waste. The water from Budda Dariya flows into the Satluj, which serves as a drinking water source for 10 districts in Rajasthan. The battle to save these water resources continues. During this environmental outcry, the state govt proposed the construction of biogas plants in Bhundari, Akhara, Mashkabad, Chahar, and Bagga Kalan villages in Ludhiana, as well as Bhogpur in Jalandhar. Starting on March 25, 2024, residents in these areas, supported by social activists and farmer forum BKU (Ekta Dakaunda), began protesting. Due to public resistance, no progress has been made in setting up the plants, and in some areas, industries have even vacated their premises. However, on April 26, police forcibly ended the protest at Akhara. In response, residents gathered again on Wednesday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the protest. Activists, including Kanwaljit Khanna, Narain Dutt, and BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) president Manjit Singh Dhaner, reiterated their demand that such industries be located away from populated areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has yet to address the proposed plants' classification. The public hearing on Wednesday at Chamkaur Sahib was focused on the proposed paper mill, which would occupy nearly 200 acres of land. The PPCB invited residents to voice their objections before the environment impact assessment (EIA) process began. The Public Action Committee, Mattewara Morcha, filed a formal complaint, highlighting concerns over environmental degradation. They urged that the paper mill proposal be rejected. The committee argued that the proposed site, located near the Sirhind Canal — a vital water source for local agriculture and drinking water — would deplete water supplies. Additionally, the project is expected to discharge untreated effluents and harmful emissions, leading to soil and water contamination, as well as severe air pollution. This could trigger respiratory and skin ailments among residents. The proposed site is also close to a region of immense religious and historical significance, and the committee pointed out that such industrial development would show blatant disregard for cultural and spiritual values. "Opposing the establishment of a paper mill on such a large scale signifies the evolution of an environmental revolution in Punjab. We have never before witnessed such widespread concern for the environment and for preventing the health risks that contaminated water and air pose to the people," said activists Col Jaskirat Singh (retd), CM Lakhanpal, and Col Jasjit Singh Gill (retd). BOX GREEN BATTLES, BIG WINS Victory in Mattewara | The proposed textile park in the eco-sensitive area near the Satluj was cancelled after widespread protests, marking a significant win for environmental activists in the region. Zira distillery shutdown | Protests by residents led to the closure of a polluting distillery in Zira after the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed water contamination from the facility. Ongoing biogas plant protests | Residents of villages like Bhundari and Akhara, supported by farmer groups, continue to oppose the setting up of biogas plants, preventing their establishment so far. Paper mill opposition | A large public hearing in Chamkaur Sahib saw strong opposition to a proposed paper mill, with activists demanding a halt due to potential water and air pollution risks.
