Latest news with #LandPoolingPolicy-2025
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Punjab and Haryana High Court flags gaps in Punjab's Land pooling policy; says notified in ‘haste'
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that the Punjab government's controversial Land Pooling Policy-2025 prima facie appears to have been notified in 'haste' and that all concerns — including social and environmental impact assessments, timelines and a grievance redress mechanism — should have been addressed in the policy before its notification. These observations were made in a detailed order in connection with a writ petition challenging the policy. On August 7, the court granted an interim stay on its implementation and gave the State four weeks to respond to the concerns. The next hearing is scheduled for September 10. 'The State proposes to take over tens of thousands of acres of fertile land in the entire State of Punjab for carrying out its proposed development work, without carrying out any Social Impact Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment study, although a stand is taken that the assessment would be carried out later when they have definite information about the number of land owners who have opted for the scheme,' the court noted. It added, 'It has been held by the Supreme Court in several cases that before permitting urban development, the State ought to carry out an environmental impact assessment.' The Bench also pointed out that the policy prescribes no timelines and provides no mechanism to address grievances of affected persons. 'Payment of subsistence allowance has been provided to the land owners, but there is no provision for rehabilitation of those landless labourers, artisans and others who are dependent on the land,' it said. 'It has also been submitted before this Court that the State's statutory bodies shall themselves develop the land, but no budgetary provisions appear to have been made, nor anything has been put forth before this Court to indicate that the State has adequate resources to finance the development project under the policy,' the order stated. The Aam Aadmi Party government had notified the Land Pooling Policy-2025 on June 4. According to the government, the policy aims to create well-planned urban estates to meet the needs of a growing population by consolidating fragmented land parcels and ensuring equitable, sustainable development. Since its launch, several farmer bodies and political parties have been protesting, demanding its withdrawal.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
High court issues notice to Punjab on plea against land pooling policy
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday issued notice to the Punjab govt on a petition challenging the Land Pooling Policy-2025. Gurdeep Singh Gill, 72, a resident of Phagla village in Ludhiana district, has sought directions to quash the notification dated June 4, 2025, along with the Land Pooling Policy 2025, being ultra vires and an act of "colourable legislation", violating fundamental rights. Gill, who claimed to have turned unproductive land capable of producing multi-crops with a fully developed irrigation system, said the policy includes his land without following the mandatory procedure under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR Act) 2013. "There are also no enabling provisions under LARR 2013 to frame or implement such a land pooling policy. Instead, the competent statutory framework for such urban development and land pooling in Punjab is the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act 1995, which has been arbitrarily bypassed," the petition said, adding no social impact assessment report was either prepared or published according to provisions of law. Moreover, according to the petition, none of the gram panchayats or gram sabhas were approached or consulted by the state before bringing the policy. A division bench comprising Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda issued the notice after taking cognisance of the petition. MSID:: 122998882 413 |
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab cabinet amends land-pooling scheme, CM Bhagwant Mann promises no losses for landowners
Chandigarh: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to its contentious 'Land Pooling Policy-2025', increasing annual compensation for landowners from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre to be payable upon issuance of a letter of intent. The letter, offering a 1,000 sq yard residential plot and a 200 sq yard commercial plot per acre of land, will be issued within 21 days. This compensation will be raised to Rs 1 lakh per acre annually after the govt takes possession of the land. The cabinet also decided to extend residential and commercial plot allotments to farmers with smaller landholdings (1-7 kanals). Landowners also have been given the option to receive larger residential plots if not interested in commercial plots in return for their land. Later in the day, an official press release stated that the "most significant highlight" of the amendments was that farmers who opt for land pooling 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 govts. It added that the cabinet also decided that no charges other than external development charges will be levied in the case of land pooling involving 50 acres or more. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Mann termed the scheme "historic", asserting that farmers would not suffer losses and they were actually "liking" the scheme. He said it ensured fair treatment to farmers, transforming them into stakeholders in the govt's development schemes. Mann noted that the govt had been actively receiving feedback. He said the cabinet-approved changes in the policy and amendments would continue to be made based on feedback. Mann accused the opposition parties of spreading misinformation about the policy, calling their claims that land registration will halt in areas where notifications are issued "absolutely baseless". Giving an example, he said that if an urban estate was to be developed over 140 acres and landowners of 15 acres do not wish to hand over their land, there was no restriction on its registration, on getting loans, or on continuing farming. Such restrictions, according to him, are only imposed in cases of land acquisition. He added if these landowners later wished to participate, they could still become part of the scheme. On concerns of farmers about what they would do until the land is developed, Mann said, "Landowners will now receive Rs 50,000 per acre annually while they continue farming. Once possession of the land is taken, this amount will increase to Rs 1 lakh, with a 10% annual hike. If a farmer owns only one kanal, they will receive a 25-square-yard booth and a 125-square-yard plot in the same area. If they opt against the commercial site, their plot area will increase threefold. Should someone not wish for a commercial plot, they will be allotted a larger residential plot instead. If the farmer opts out of a 200-square-yard commercial plot, it will be turned into a 600-square-yard residential area." Mann added farmers have the option to secure loans using the letter of intent. Responding to a question about landowners who do not wish to participate, Mann clarified that a farmer could continue cultivating their land, and access to his land by way of road will be provided. "We don't intend to force farmers to participate in the scheme. There are existing colonies where farmlands are located next to residential plots," he said. When asked about a landowner who decided to participate at a later stage, Mann explained it was a land-in-return-for-land policy, and cash was not being offered. "If a landowner offers 50 acres, 30 acres will be developed and returned to them. The govt will also construct zonal roads within these 30 acres free of cost," he said. Justifying the development of large land parcels, Mann stated that in Haryana, 48,000 acres are under colonies, while it's only 25,000 acres in Punjab. "We do not wish to reduce farmland, but the objective of farming is to achieve a better quality of life, and agricultural production is increasing," he said. "In Haryana, there are no unauthorised colonies, and there is no authorised one in Punjab." CM rules out any displacement Responding to concerns about the displacement of locals due to land pooling scheme, CM Bhagwant Mann assured that the process would be carried out in land pockets in a staggered manner and not "at one go". Citing examples, he said that only four villages in Patiala and two in Sangrur had been included in the land pooling policy. "As it is, the villages will not be uprooted," he said. KEY CHANGES TO LAND POOLING POLICY Residential and commercial plot allotment extended to smaller farmers with 1-7 kanals. Landowners can opt to receive larger residential plots in lieu of commercial plots. Annual compensation hiked from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre. Compensation will rise to Rs 1 lakh per acre annually once land possession is taken. Letter of intent to be issued within 21 days. For 1 kanal (605 sq yards) ownership, a 25 sq yards commercial booth and 125 sq yards residential plot will be allotted. Opting against a commercial plot triples the residential plot area. Farmers can receive a larger residential plot if they forgo a commercial one. Farmers can secure loans using the letter of intent. Landowners can continue cultivating their land. Land registration will not halt; non-participating landowners can still register, get loans, or farm, and can join later. The govt will construct zonal roads within the returned land free of cost.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Land pooling policy: SAD stages demonstration; AAP govt tweaks policy
Even as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) members on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) staged a demonstration against the Punjab government's land pooling policy, the State cabinet approved several amendments to the Land Pooling Policy-2025. SAD leaders and workers demonstrated in Ludhiana against the policy. Addressing a gathering, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the policy as 'anti-farmers' and appealed to village panchayats affected by the policy to pass resolutions against it. He said the SAD would intensify its agitation against the land pooling policy across the State by holding demonstrations (dharnas). 'On July 28, we will hold 'dharna' in Mohali and on August 4 in Bathinda,' he said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in its amendments approved that farmers will now receive an annual livelihood allowance of ₹1 lakh until their land is developed — a fivefold increase compared to the ₹20,000 given by previous governments, said an official statement. 'The government has also assured long-term support by announcing a 10% annual increment in this ₹1 lakh amount. To ensure faster and more transparent processes, the government will now issue a Letter of Intent (LOI) to farmers within 21 days. For the convenience of farmers, the LOI can be sold or used to obtain loans. Furthermore, until development work actually begins, farmers can continue cultivating their land and will receive an additional ₹50,000 per year from the government,' the statement added.
