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India Today
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Faced with farmers' backlash, Punjab scraps controversial Land Pooling Policy
Under sustained pressure from farmers, the Punjab Government has formally scrapped its controversial Land Pooling Policy. The decision to de-notify the policy was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on move comes just days after the government had rolled back the policy, introduced earlier this year to pool over 65,000 acres of farmland for development policy proposed to acquire thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land across Punjab for development purposes, without conducting any Social Impact Assessment (SIA) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, triggering widespread concern and resistance. Farmer unions, however, strongly opposed the policy, calling it detrimental to their 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 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 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 Land Pooling Policy was intended to facilitate planned development by consolidating fragmented landholdings and returning developed plots to 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 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
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
CISF deployment row: Punjab to take legal opinion on BBMB paying Rs 8 crore to Centre
Days after Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) paid Rs 8.58 crore to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, paving the way for deploying the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Nangal dam, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday stood firm against not making any payment to the Centre and decided to take a legal opinion on the matter. 'We will take a legal opinion on what the government can do next after the BBMB pays Rs 8.58 crore to the Centre for deployment. It is, however, clear that the dams will be manned by the Punjab Police only. We will tell you about the next steps we are taking on the issue in the coming days,' Finance Minister Harpal Cheema told the media after the Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In May, the Centre had sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel to provide a counter-terrorist security cover to the Nangal dam in Punjab amid the standoff between Punjab and Haryana over the sharing of water from the dam. However, the Punjab Government withdrew the consent for deploying Central forces at the dams on July 7 and later passed a resolution in the Assembly in this regard. The Cabinet on Wednesday reiterated that the Punjab Police were capable of protecting all the dams under BBMB — Pong, Bhakra, and Nanagal — and hence it would not bear any expenses incurred on the deployment of CISF. This amount is to be paid for the deployment of 296 security personnel for the security of the dam. 'We have already made it clear that our police is capable of handling the dams. We will not allow the central forces to be deployed. The 3 crore people of the state, through the Vidhan Sabha, have already passed a resolution and sent it to the Centre rejecting the deployment of CISF,' said Cheema. However, even after the resolution, BBMB has paid an amount of Rs 8.58 crore to the Centre. The Centre had announced to deploy CISF after BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi was held captive at the Bhakra dam two months ago, when the Punjab government had refused to release extra water to Haryana. At that time, the residents of the area, Minister Harjot Bains, locked up Tripathi in the rest house of BBMB. The Cabinet mentioned that a bill of Rs 113 crore has been sent to Haryana for the expenses related to the Bhakra Main Line (BML), which was due by that state for the past eight years. Cheema said that the previous governments in Punjab ignored the fact that Haryana was not paying the cost of the line in Bhakra, although 63 per cent of the water from BML was utilised by the state, while Punjab was spending on it from its Exchequer. In another Cabinet decision, the state government has reorganised many blocks of Punjab. Cheema said that many blocks were in some other district while their sub-division was elsewhere. 'For instance, several villages in my constituency, Dirba, were near Dirba, but their headquarters were in Sunam. This was creating administrative problems,' he explained. He said that no new block has been added in the reorganisation of blocks, and the number of blocks will remain the same at 154.
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Harpal Cheema lauds rare unanimity on all legislative matters during special assembly session
Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said that all bills and resolutions presented by the state government were passed unanimously during the four-day session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Finance minister Harpal Cheema . (Ravi Kumar/HT) Calling it a unique and historic achievement, Cheema attributed this remarkable consensus to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's focus on the welfare and progress of the populace of the state. 'In my two terms in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, I have never before witnessed such complete unanimity on all legislative matters. This signalled the meticulously planned and honest approach of the state government in guiding Punjab towards new heights of development,' he claimed at a press conference here. The finance minister elaborated that the assembly session was extended by two days on its very first day, facilitating thorough discussions on crucial bills and allowing for meaningful contributions from the opposition. He specifically mentioned 'The Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025', which, following an extended discussion, was unanimously referred to a select committee. He further noted the unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by water resources minister Barinder Goyal on the second day of the session, which opposed the deployment of CISF personnel in BBMB establishments. Pointing out that the Congress party had given its consent for CISF security to BBMB in 2021, he commended the party for rectifying its previous stance by supporting the state government's resolution, which was passed with full consensus. He further stated that all parties unanimously pledged their cooperation in eradicating the drug menace from the state.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sacrilege Bill draft not yet ready; want it watertight: Cheema
The much-awaited Bill providing for a stricter punishment for sacrilege could not be taken up for discussion in the Punjab Cabinet meeting Monday as the government has not been able to prepare its draft, it has been learnt. Cabinet Minister Harpal Cheema, addressing the media after the meeting, said that the government was consulting a panel of officers and legal luminaries while preparing the draft. 'We are taking opinion from Legal Remembrancer (LR) and Advocate General (AG). We do not want to bring any law in haste. We will prepare a draft that will stay the scrutiny of the law even if we have to extend our Vidhan Sabha session. The previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments had passed these Bills in their respective terms. But none could become an Act. We do not want to follow suit,' said Cheema. He said several other important decisions were discussed in the Cabinet meeting. 'We can take up the decision on the Bill anytime once the draft is ready. It could be tomorrow or day after,' he added. Official sources, meanwhile, said that the government was now taking opinion if it should enact a state law or go with the insertions in sacrilege law already existing under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It was also being debated whether it should entail capital punishment or go ahead with a lifer. It is learnt that the leaders within the ruling Aam Aadmi Party were also divided on the issue of capital punishment. 'There are reservations. Also, most part of the world frowns upon the capital punishment now,' a party leader said on anonymity. Another party leader said that this law could be used against political opponents also. 'Most of the holy books are sold like any other books in the market. In case of holy books, anybody could lodge a complaint against the other for politics. If we happen to sit in the Opposition ever, this could well be used against us.' A source said that the draft was with AG Maninderjit Singh Bedi. There are other legal luminaries also on board. 'Even if we bring a state Bill, it would have to go to the President of India for assent. If the Centre did not forward it to the President in the past, how are we certain that it would be sent to her now?' asked an official. The government has called a special session of Vidhan Sabha on July 10 and 11 following Chief minister Bhagwant Mann's assurance to Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha, whose representative Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been sitting on a dharna atop a BSNL tower in Samana since October last year. He has been seeking a law with exemplary punishment for sacrilege. Even before the Cabinet met Monday, the Morcha issued a statement thanking the CM for tabling the Bill in the Cabinet. Bhai Gurpreet Singh, coordinator of the morcha said in the statement that by fulfilling his June 28 statement to enact a law for strict punishment for the perpetrators of sacrilege, CM Mann has further raised his political stature among the people of Punjab. He said that we are seeing their determination against sacrilege from the speed with which they are fulfilling the promise made to the delegation of the front. He appealed to all the MLAs of Punjab to unanimously pass the Bill and the Governor to immediately give his assent. After the Cabinet meeting, however, the morcha withdrew the statement saying they had issued it in anticipation that the Bill was being tabled. 'We withdraw it. We are hurt,' said Bhai Gurpreet Singh.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Cabinet allows fragmentation of industrial plots in Punjab
Two years after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau alleged a scam in Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) that involved fragmentation and transfer of a 25-acre industrial plot into smaller plots, the Punjab Cabinet Saturday approved a comprehensive policy for the fragmentation and subdivision of industrial plots managed by PSIEC. The government said that the policy aimed to promote industrial growth, particularly in IT and service sectors, while ensuring planned land used infrastructure sustainability across PSIEC-managed industrial estates, focal points, and growth centres. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, while addressing the media said that under the new policy, the industrial plots measuring 1,000 square yards or more are eligible for fragmentation, with each sub divided plot maintaining a minimum size of 400 square yards and a width-to-depth ratio not exceeding 1:3. A fragmentation fee of 5 per cent of the current reserve price of the original plot will be charged, (50 per cent for the family members and legal heirs). A non-refundable processing fee of Rs 10,000 and additional FAR fees, where applicable, will also apply. The applicants will have to adhere to the PSIEC's zoning regulations, building bylaws, and approved layout plans. Internal development works (roads, water supply, drainage) are age responsibility of the plot owner, with strict timelines for completion. The applications will be processed within 21 working days through a scrutiny committee, with approvals granted by the additional managing director. Services to previously fragmented plots, halted by PSIEC's board decisions in 2022 and 2023, will resume immediately as per applicable guidelines. The policy caters to the demands of industrialists and plot owners as well as of prominent industry associations, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mohali chambers of Industry and IT, and Mohali Industrial Association. It addresses the need for smaller plots, particularly for the IT and service sectors, to promote efficient land use, attract investments and establish a structured, transparent mechanism for plot fragmentation and sub division. The policy facilitates the optimisation of land usage, boosts operational efficiency, and supports project expansion by addressing long-standing demands from industrial stakeholders. It applies to freehold plots of 1,000 square yards or larger, with sub divided plots maintaining a size of 400 square yards. In 2023, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had booked former minister Sham Sunder Arora and other accused for extending 'unfair advantage' to Gulmohar Township Company by allowing transfer and bifurcation of an industrial plot of 25 acres to the township company, by not following the rules. However, in January this year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the FIR against him. Cheema said that he previous government had allowed bifurcation of industrial plots when it was not a part of the policy, 'Now, we have brought a legal policy of bifurcation.'
