Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Amidst escalating pressure from Opposition parties and farmers of the state, the AAP government in Punjab withdrew its land pooling policy on Monday. A few days ago, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed this policy for a month.
The Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of the Punjab Government announced the withdrawal of the policy on Monday evening in a post on X. He wrote, "The government is hereby rescinding the land pooling policy from 14 May and all its subsequent modifications." The statement added: "As a result, all related measures, including issued letters of intent, completed registrations, and any other actions taken under this policy, will be reversed moving forward."
With the cancellation of policy, land owners are expected to receive a 1,000 square yard residential plot along with a 200 square yard commercial plot on fully developed land in exchange for each acre they contributed. Earlier, the Bhagwant Mann- led government claimed that this would provide relief to the public from the fraud caused by illegal colonies spread in Punjab. Adding that the state government agencies would develop the adjoining land, in which modern infrastructure including roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage and electricity, would be ensured.
But the tables turned with High court's order of interim stay on the policy on August 7. The court cited the halt to determine the reasons for the hasty implementation of the policy without noting its social and environmental impact assessments before its announcement.
Adding to the controversy, the farmers and opposition parties attacked the government in several ways. They claimed the land pooling policy as a "plundering" initiative aiming to take away the farmers' land. Rival parties such as the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, and Congress, organised several protests. The Bhagwant Mann led government then accused the opposition for spreading misinformation. The situation worsened when agricultural group like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, also came forward to voice their concerns about the policy. The AAP had responded to opposition parties by accusing them of spreading "misinformation" about the state government's policy, with party officials defending it as "pro-farmer."
The land pooling policy in Punjab was first implemented in 2011 under the rule of Akali government. In June 2025, the Punjab cabinet approved the new version of this policy. Under this policy, industrial, commercial and residential areas were to be developed by acquiring land in different areas of the state. Instead of a compensation amount, the landowners were to be given commercial and residential plots in the same area in proportion to their land.
