Chandigarh, Aug 11 (PTI) In the face of mounting pressure from farmer bodies and rival political parties, the AAP government in Punjab on Monday withdrew its land pooling policy, which it had once termed “farmer-friendly” and meant for planned urban development.
The opposition parties and farmer organisations described the rollback of the policy, which they had earlier termed a “land grabbing” scheme, as a victory for the people of the state.
The organisations also claimed that they “forced” the Bhagwant Mann government to withdraw the policy.
AAP leader Neel Garg said the policy was brought in the interest of farmers, and if they do not like it, then “why should we impose it”? “That is why we are withdrawing this policy, respecting the voice of farmers,” he said on X.
It is learnt that the state leadership of the AAP was of the view that this policy could be politically disadvantageous for the party.
In a brief statement on Monday evening, the principal secretary in the Department of Housing and Urban Development said, “The government hereby withdraws the land pooling policy dated May 14 and its subsequent amendments.
“Consequently, all actions, like LOIs (letters of intent) issued, registration done, or any other action taken thereunder shall be reversed henceforth,” the statement said.
The move came days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered an interim stay on the implementation of the policy for four weeks.
On August 7, it held that the policy appears to have been notified in haste and concerns, including social impact assessment and environmental impact assessment, should have been addressed before its notification.
Ludhiana-based petitioner Gurdeep Singh Gill had challenged the policy, seeking directions to quash the state government notification dated June 24 along with the land pooling policy 2025, being ultra vires and an act of “colourable legislation”, violating fundamental rights.
Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the AAP government has always placed their interests at the forefront.
“Whether it was waiving farm loans, fighting for better prices for crops, improving irrigation facilities, or providing relief in electricity bills, every step has been taken with the welfare of farmers in mind,” he said.
“The land pooling policy was also introduced in line with this vision. The objective was to make farmers active stakeholders in development, significantly increase the value of their land, and connect them with modern infrastructure and facilities,” Mundian said.
Real development is only achieved when farmers are happy and satisfied, he said, adding that if there was disagreement among farmers about any policy, imposing it forcefully goes against public interest and democratic principles.
“Therefore, the government has taken a major and historic decision to withdraw the land pooling policy, giving the highest importance to farmers’ voices,” Mundian added.
The Punjab Cabinet had approved this land pooling policy in June and asserted that not a single yard would be forcibly acquired. The state government had planned to acquire around 65,000 acres of land at many places, including around 45,000 acres solely in Ludhiana, to develop residential and industrial zones.
Under the now-scrapped policy, an owner would be given a 1,000 square yard of residential plot and a 200 square yard of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land.
The rollback of the policy came as AAP leaders faced heat from villagers at many places.
In Hoshiarpur, locals barred AAP leaders from entering Shergarh and Purhiran villages. ‘No Entry’ hoardings for AAP leaders were displayed, declaring that no party leader would be allowed into the villages unless the policy was withdrawn.
The Mann government, last month, amended the policy whereby farmers would have received 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 governments.
Moreover, there would have been no restrictions on the sale or purchase of land.
Amid continuous opposition, CM Mann, a few days ago, said that his government would soon reach out to the public and farmers to discuss the policy.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring welcomed the AAP government’s move to withdraw the policy, and said, “Farmers stand vindicated in their opposition to the land pooling policy, which would not only have turned them into paupers but would have damaged Punjab socially, economically and environmentally.” Expressing relief, he said it was a victory of farmers and congratulated them for standing firm against this policy, “whose obvious aim was to rob farmers without any compensation and without their consent”.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal congratulated the people of Punjab, saying they fought unitedly and forced the AAP government to withdraw it and Arvind Kejriwal to “bow down.” The party had announced the launch of an indefinite protest against the policy from September 1.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha termed it a victory of the people. On July 30, the SKM held a tractor march and had planned to intensify its protests until the government withdrew the policy.
Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma said the withdrawal of the policy was a victory for farmers.
He said that his party had been fighting against the land pooling policy from day one, whether it was in the way of submitting memorandums to officials, burning effigies, holding farmer meetings in villages, or staging demonstrations. PTI CHS VSD NSD NSD
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.