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Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Decade-long delay: New Chandigarh farmers still await plots under 2013 pooling scheme
Chandigarh: Even as the AAP govt is promoting its new Land Pooling Policy, 2025, farmers of Hoshiarpur village in New Chandigarh for over a decade have been waiting for commercial sites they were promised by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for the Eco City II (extension) scheme after their land was acquired in 2013. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While landowners who opted for monetary compensation were paid, those who chose plots are still waiting for their final allotment of commercial plots. They have only received a letter of intent (LoI), which is not the same as a final plot allotment. Landowners say their plans to rent out showrooms and booths have been stalled since their fertile farmland, their main source of income, was acquired. For those who chose plots over cash compensation by GMADA, the delay has left them in limbo. Satnam Singh, whose five acres were acquired for Eco City II, opted for plots under the land pooling scheme and received an LoI for two commercial sites. "Even though the letter of intent was issued to me, I am yet to get the allotment," he said, adding, "By now, I would have developed the sites and given them on rent." He did, however, receive possession of his residential plots — 2 of 500 square yard, 2 of 300 square yard, and 2 of 200 square yard. "We were given Rs 25,000 per acre for three years and then this compensation too was stopped. However, we have not been compensated for the delay in the case of commercial sites. There is certainly a need for commercial sites in the area as there is not even a milk booth to cater to the locals," he added. "People in my village had the option to opt for cash compensation on a part of the acquired land, which made them comfortable despite the delay," he explained. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "However, the new land pooling policy does not include this option." Manjit Singh, another landowner, said while his family received three residential plots promised for their 12 acres acquired in 2018, the 12-square-yard showroom site they were also promised is still pending. He noted they hoped to receive all the sites within two-three years and advised others to "be very cautious when making choices when their land is acquired". Gurdial Singh's family, which opted for land pooling for their five acres, was promised two to four showroom sites of 121 square yards. The delay in receiving these sites has created a significant financial strain on the family. "It has made things difficult for us financially," he said. In 2013, GMADA acquired approximately 96 acres of land in Hoshiarpur village for the Eco City II (Extension) scheme. As part of the land pooling policy, landowners were given the option of receiving plots in return for their land. GMADA carved out 106 residential plots and 66 commercial plots for this purpose. "This area has not developed as expected despite its proximity to Chandigarh. Many residential sites have no takers. These ambitious projects have not been delivered on it," added Satnam Singh. The villagers also pointed out a contradiction, stating that GMADA is selling plots to the public from land acquired for the schemes, while beneficiaries of the land pooling policy are still waiting for their promised allotments. Meanwhile, the GMADA officials claimed last month that tenders were floated recently to carry out development works. BOX: 'BOTH RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL SITES NOT GIVEN' Avtar Singh Walia, vice-president of the Resident Welfare Association for Eco City II, is among those affected. His 10 acres were acquired for the Eco City II (extension) project, but he has yet to receive either the promised residential plots (150 and 200 square yards) or the commercial plots. Citing a lack of development on the Eco City II (extension) site, he noted that landowners only have a letter of intent (LoI) and have repeatedly raised the issue with GMADA. "We have not been allotted residential and commercial plots in Eco City II... even though people have built houses in the project. At the same time, no commercial site has been developed in Eco City II, and people have to go four km to get daily needs," he said. MSID:: 123097679 413 |
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Home calling: How a Gurdaspur man returned from Australia, built a thriving banana business
It all began with planting just 3-4 banana saplings for self-consumption. But after witnessing the remarkable yield from a single plant, 61-year-old Satnam Singh decided to scale up cultivation on his farmland. In Punjab, where wheat, paddy, and Basmati dominate the agricultural lands, banana has never been considered a commercially viable crop. But Satnam, a determined farmer from Gurdaspur city, is challenging that perception. In 2023, he converted half of his 6-acre land, located along Pandori Road, into a thriving banana orchard — proving that this tropical fruit can indeed flourish and turn a profit in Punjab's soil and climate. Earlier, Singh used to run a plant nursery, which he shut in 2021–22 to settle in Australia. However, he returned and began experimenting with banana cultivation and earning around Rs 4 to 6 lakh per acre after meeting the expenses depending upon the rate and yield in the market rate. 'I began this as an experiment. But when I saw how well they responded to Punjab's weather, I was encouraged. I also realised that Punjab's climate is quite similar to several parts of Uttar Pradesh, where banana is grown on a large scale. So I decided to go all in.' Satnam sought advice from experts Like Navdeep Singh at the local horticulture department and PAU Ludhiana. 'At PAU, Karan Bir Singh Gill, Associate Professor of Fruit Science, provided invaluable technical guidance and regular support, which is crucial for success in banana farming,' he says. He initially began with three acres, planting approximately 1,500 banana plants per acre, with 5 feet between plants and 5.5 feet between rows. Now, as more farmers seek guidance and planting material from him, he recommends a spacing of 5×5 feet between plants and 7×7 feet between rows — accommodating around 1,250 per acre. The cultivation process begins with meticulous preparation: beds are laid out 3 feet wide, with pits dug half a foot deep. As 2 to 2.5 months old saplings are transplanted. These saplings are sourced from a tissue culture lab in Maharashtra when they are 2-3 weeks old are first raised in a net house—under 80% shade initially, reduced to 40% as the plants mature. 'Then a puddle is created in the prepared pits, and each plant is transplanted into the puddled water when it has 4–5 leaves and is about 6–7 inches tall,' he explains. The puddling water is prepared 10 days in advance using a mixture of bio-fungicide, jaggery, and besan (gram flour). 'We use around 200 ml of this solution per plant at the time of transplanting,' he adds. After transplanting, the banana plant takes around 20 days to strengthen its internal system, including its DNA structure. During this period, to promote healthy growth, Satnam provides a mix of 16 different micronutrients, including magnesium, calcium, zinc, and others. Planted in June or July, the G-9 variety is not only high-yielding but also popular in the market for its colour and taste. The plants grow up to 8–9 feet tall within a year, start flowering by mid-May — about 10 months after transplanting — and begin fruiting by June. Harvesting of raw bananas begins in September and can continue till the end of October. If farmers opt to sell ripened bananas, harvesting can extend up to January. 'Each plant produces a bunch with 7 to 10 hands, which are clusters of individual bananas, also known as fingers, growing together on the stem. Each hand carries 2 to 3 dozen bananas,' he explains. A full bunch can weigh between 14 and 16 kgs. 'I have three ripening chambers of my own, but I prefer selling raw bananas because they can be sold in bulk and the harvesting is completed within one and a half months,' he says, adding, 'Harvesting takes around 4–5 months if rippned bananas are to be sold. When I do ripen them, I maintain the chamber temperature at 16–18°C.' As for marketing, Satnam admits that he faced some challenges in the first year. 'Buyers here initially preferred bananas from Maharashtra and doubted the colour and taste of ours. But once I ripened them in my own chambers, the colour and taste came out exceptionally well.' Each acre of banana farming requires an initial investment of about Rs 1.5 lakh, covering plant material, fertilisers, labour, and drip irrigation. But the returns are promising. 'We get around 250–300 quintals of raw bananas per acre. Even at Rs 16–24 per kg for raw bananas and Rs 26–35 per kg for ripened ones, the profit margins are substantial,' says Satnam, adding, 'After expenses, we earn between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 6 lakh per acre, depending on yield and rates.' He also recommends intercropping in the first year with crops like turmeric or cauliflower to optimise land use. 'In the following years, the expenditure drops to around Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per acre,' he adds. Satnam also explains the plant's life cycle: 'Technically, a plant can continue producing for 5–7 years, but I recommend replacing it after three years. As the plant ages, fruiting and harvesting become irregular, which disrupts the marketing season. After each harvest, the main stem is almost cut, and a new sucker is allowed to grow, which becomes the next fruiting plant for the following year.' Satnam also cultivates Basmati on two acres during Kharif season and uses the same land for wheat cultivation in the Rabi season. He also dedicates one acre to growing turmeric. He highlights that banana farming requires significantly less water and fewer chemicals compared to conventional crops. 'There's no flood irrigation—just drip. Banana uses 10 times less water than paddy,' he says. With both his sons settled abroad—one an IT engineer in Melbourne and the other in the trucking business in Canada—Satnam says he wanted to show them the potential of agriculture back home.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: 4 nihangs snatch SUV with woman inside, held
Police have arrested four nihangs for allegedly snatching a car and taking along the woman in the passenger seat near Lakhnaur village in the early hours of Saturday. The woman was later dropped off near CP67 mall and found safe. (HT photo for representation) The accused were identified as Shamsher Singh from Gurdaspur; Satnam Singh from Ludhiana; Nirmal Singh from Nawanshahr; and Chandar Mohan from Jammu. All of them reside in a paying guest accommodation near Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Sohana, said police. According to police, the complainant, Ritashu Tanwar, and his female friend were returning from Bestech Mall in Sector 66 around 12.30 am after watching a movie. As they neared Lakhnaur village, four nihangs on motorcycles intercepted their Maruti Suzuki Brezza car. One of them allegedly dragged Ritashu out and took the driver's seat, while the others harassed the woman sitting in the passenger seat. The group then drove off with the vehicle and the woman still inside. On receiving the complaint, Mohali police immediately launched a rescue operation. The woman was later dropped off near CP67 mall and found safe. Within 10 hours, the snatched car was traced to a gurdwara in Kurukshetra, Haryana, and the four accused were arrested with the help of the local police and gurdwara committee. Briefing the media, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harmandeep Hans said, 'The incident occurred at night and our primary concern was the safety of the girl. Thankfully, no harm was caused to her. DSP (City 2) Harsimran Bal, along with a team led by the Sohana SHO, worked tirelessly through the night. The accused were traced and arrested from a gurdwara in Kurukshetra, where they had taken shelter.' A case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Sohana police station, including 304(2), 74, 137(2) and 3(5).
RNZ News
05-07-2025
- RNZ News
Assault of migrant worker in Auckland sparks protest
More than 30 people gathered in Henderson on Saturday, demanding justice for a migrant worker who was allegedly assaulted. Photo: Blessen Tom / RNZ Protesters gathered in West Auckland on Saturday, demanding justice for a migrant worker who was allegedly assaulted at his workplace. The protest, organised by the Migrant Rights Network and the Migrant Workers Association of Aotearoa, called for greater accountability and stronger protections for migrant workers in New Zealand. The victim, Satnam Singh, was allegedly attacked at his workplace - an Auckland restaurant - on the evening of 29 June. He was reportedly later found injured on the roadside by cleaning staff in the early hours of Monday. Singh, who held an Accredited Employer Work Visa, had been living and working in New Zealand for the past two years after migrating from Punjab, India. "We've gathered here to show our support for Satnam," said Sher Singh, a migrant advocate with the Migrant Rights Network. The protest called for greater accountability and stronger protections for migrant workers in New Zealand. Photo: Blessen Tom / RNZ He told RNZ he had been at the victim's bedside for the past few days. "He [Satnam] is recovering but he's feeling very down. He never expected something like this happening to him in a country like New Zealand." Anu Kaloti, president of the Migrant Workers Association NZ, said that "no one should come to work expecting to be harmed." "This is shocking. We do hear of workers facing minor assaults, but this-this is on another level," she said. Anu Kaloti is the president of the Migrant Workers Association NZ. Photo: Blessen Tom / RNZ The protest organisers said it was time for the government and its agencies to act by upgrading the charges to attempted murder, ensuring safer workplaces for migrant workers and abolishing the Accredited Employer Work Visa. The work visa scheme had been under intense media scrutiny since reports emerged in 2023 that migrant workers on such visas were finding themselves destitute and jobless after paying large sums of money to relocate to New Zealand. A 2024 Public Service Commission review found that Immigration New Zealand did not adequately assess the risk and impact of changes to speed up processing times would have on visa abuse . The government announced major changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa in December 2024, but a union advocate told RNZ the reforms still left migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation . Singh was recovering after surgery at Auckland City Hospital. A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The man was expected to appear in Waitākere District Court on Tuesday.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab govt suspends 26 jail officials
The Punjab government on Friday suspended 26 officers and employees of the jail department for dereliction of duty. Punjab jail minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that 26 officers and employees of the jail department have been suspended with immediate effect. (HT Photo) Punjab jail minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that 26 officers and employees of the jail department have been suspended with immediate effect under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, for dereliction of duty/negligence. Giving a clear message to the officers and employees on duty in the jails of Punjab, the minister said that illegal activities, misbehaviour, indiscipline, absence from duty and activities like involvement with prisoners will not be tolerated at all. The minister said that Iqbal Singh Brar, superintendent, District Jail, Mansa, Maninder Pal Cheema, deputy superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana, Anil Bhandari, deputy superintendent, Borstal Jail, Ludhiana, Sandeep Brar, deputy superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana, Yadvinder Singh, ASJ, Central jail, Ferozepur, apart from warders Harbhupinder Singh and Sikander Singh, Goindwal Sahib, Bikramjit Singh and Vijay Pal Singh, Amritsar, Jatinder Singh, Ravi, Deepak Rai, Kiranjit Singh, Prithipal Singh and Satnam Singh, Kapurthala, Satnam Singh and Mandeep Singh, Hoshiarpur, Maninder Pal Singh, Ludhiana, Anu Malik, Randhir Singh, Arvind Dev Singh, Balvir Singh and Sukhpreet Singh, Mansa, Satnam Singh Nabha, Gagandeep Singh, Bathinda, and Anmol Verma, Pathankot, have been suspended. The minister said that the Punjab government is committed to providing good administration to the state and negligence in duty of any officer or employee will not be tolerated. He warned all the officers and employees of the department and said that they should ensure that their duties are done honestly, diligently and according to the rules.
